Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena – UFC Lightweight Title Bout
Odds (via BetMGM): Islam Makhachev: -275 (favorite), Jack Della Maddalena: +225 (underdog)
The UFC heads back to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 15, 2025, with a blockbuster lightweight title clash as reigning champion Islam Makhachev defends his belt against surging welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322.
Makhachev, the Dagestani grappling ace with an iron chin and suffocating control, faces the slick, high-volume striker in Maddalena, who’s riding a wave of knockout finishes and momentum into his first UFC title shot. The matchup pits discipline against dynamism, control against chaos — and could define the lightweight division’s next chapter.
Fighting in front of a New York City crowd under the lights at Madison Square Garden only raises the stakes. And with sharp bettors, analysts, and fans split on whether Maddalena’s pace and boxing can overcome Makhachev’s dominance on the mat, UFC 322 may offer one of the year’s most unpredictable title fights.
Current Moneyline Odds (via BetMGM NY):
Islam Makhachev: -275 (favorite)
Jack Della Maddalena: +225 (underdog)
The odds lean heavily toward Makhachev, reflecting the betting market’s faith in his grinding wrestling style and title pedigree. After dominant wins over Volkanovski and Oliveira, the champion has firmly established himself as a puzzle few can solve. The -275 price tag shows that oddsmakers expect another suffocating performance on the mat.
However, Maddalena’s underdog price offers tempting value for fans of striking volume and explosive hands. The Aussie has carved through the welterweight ranks with surgical body work, calm pressure, and razor-sharp boxing — traits that could trouble a champion untested by a pure striker in recent years.
If he can keep the fight upright, Maddalena’s +225 line could prove to be one of the most live underdog plays of the year.
Lightweight | ||
Islam Makhachev 27‑1‑0 | Vs | Jack Della Maddalena 18‑2‑0 |
33 | Age | 29 |
5′ 10″ | Height | 5′ 11″ |
155 lbs | Weight | 170lbs |
70″ | Reach | 73” |
2.63 | SLpM (significant strikes landed/min) | 6.84 |
58% | Striking accuracy | 52% |
53% | Takedown accuracy | 11% |
90% | Takedown defence | 69% |
Lightweight Champion | UFC Ranking | #1 Welterweight |
This fight is a fascinating collision of elite grappling and crisp striking, but one that ultimately favors Makhachev's ability to impose his will in the later rounds. Jack Della Maddalena is stepping up to lightweight for the biggest test of his career. This short-notice opportunity places him opposite the most dominant fighter in the UFC today.
Della Maddalena’s striking output and finishing instinct can’t be ignored, but Makhachev is the best control grappler in MMA for a reason. Over five rounds, it’s difficult to see the welterweight champ stuffing takedowns consistently, let alone keeping the fight at his preferred range.
If Makhachev can weather the early fire, the fight likely trends in his favor by the championship rounds, where pressure, chain wrestling, and positional suffocation take over.
Makhachev enters as the reigning lightweight champion and #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Since claiming the belt at UFC 280, he’s shut down elite contenders like Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski in UFC 294 —both of whom offered vastly different stylistic threats.
His advantages here are numerous: world-class grappling, top-tier positional control, and a rapidly improving striking game under coach Javier Mendez at AKA. With a 90% takedown defense and a wrestling style that wears opponents out, Makhachev excels in dragging fights into deep water.
Della Maddalena has never faced a grappler of Makhachev’s caliber. If Islam gets his hands on him early, the gap in experience on the mat will quickly show.
“I’m not looking for decisions anymore — I’m looking to finish everybody.” — Islam Makhachev (via UFC 302 Post-Fight)
Jack Della Maddalena’s rise through the welterweight ranks has been marked by violent precision and calculated aggression. He lands 6.84 significant strikes per minute and boasts some of the slickest boxing in the UFC—body shots, angles, and composure all baked into his style.
He’s also one of the most consistent finishers on the roster, with 13 of his 18 wins coming by KO/TKO. If he can keep the fight upright, even briefly, he has the tools to test Makhachev’s chin.
His best chance lies in the first 10 minutes—catching Makhachev before the takedown pressure builds. A clean uppercut or counter hook off a level change could flip the script.
“I’m going to go for it… I can see it blowing the roof off MSG.” — Jack Della Maddalena, ahead of UFC 322.
With the lightweight title on the line and Jack Della Maddalena stepping in as a late-replacement underdog, expert opinion is surprisingly split on how this fight might unfold.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping favors the reigning champ’s consistency but also acknowledges the danger:
“I understand why Islam is a slight favorite because he’s tried and tested … but don’t be surprised if Jack Della Maddalena gets it done.” - Michael Bisping, via Bloody Elbow.
Robert Whittaker, former UFC middleweight champion, sees real upset potential:
“I’m going to go
And from Josh Thomson, former Strikeforce champion & training partner of Makhachev:
“This fight is a lot more dangerous than the Dustin Poirier fight…
The consensus? Makhachev remains the safe bet, but experts warn not to overlook the chaos factor Maddalena brings. This could be closer than the odds suggest.
This bout features two dangerous finishers with vastly different approaches—Makhachev’s suffocating top game and Della Maddalena’s sharp, high-volume boxing. Whether it's a submission from Islam or a sudden knockout from JDM, the ingredients are there for this fight to end inside five rounds.
If you’re backing the favorite, Makhachev’s most likely path to victory is via submission. He thrives when fights hit the mat and is relentless in hunting finishes once he establishes top control.
For those who believe in the underdog’s upset potential, JDM by KO is the bet. His boxing is crisp, his timing has improved, and he’s shown he can hurt top welterweights under pressure.
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Main Event – Welterweight Title: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Co‑Main Event – Women’s Flyweight Title: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
Welterweight Bout: Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
Welterweight Bout: Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
Lightweight Bout: Beneil Dariush vs. Benoît Saint‑Denis
Saturday, November 15, 2025.
At Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA.
Welterweight Championship: Jack Della Maddalena (C) vs. Islam Makhachev
Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
For the U.S., the event will be available via ESPN+ Pay‑Per‑View. For other regions, it will stream via regional partners and potentially via UFC Fight Pass.
New York bettors can explore the best UFC sportsbooks like BetMGM, Fanatics, Caesars, and FanDuel, which offer competitive UFC 322 odds, promos, and prop bets tailored for NY markets.
