Two Champs Clash at MSG: What You Need to Know About UFC 322

Madison Square Garden is about to witness a battle of titans on November 15 when the UFC 322 pay-per-view extravaganza takes over New York City. The marquee features not one but two title fights, with questions about legacy and dominance hanging over both main attractions.

The Main Event: Della Maddalena’s First Defense Against Title Invader Makhachev

Welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) steps into the octagon to defend his 170-pound belt for the first time, facing an unprecedented challenge: Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion seeking to become a two-division titleholder.

The Champion’s Journey

Della Maddalena’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The Australian powerhouse signed with the UFC in September 2021 off a Dana White’s Contender Series card, where UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby praised him as “probably the best prospect out of New Zealand or Australia at welterweight.” What set him apart was his size, offensive output, and exceptional clinch control.

His early UFC career was defined by explosive finishes—four first-round stoppage victories that earned him three “Performance of the Night” bonuses. After years of relying on his finishing prowess, Della Maddalena finally went the distance at UFC 315 in May 2025, when he captured the welterweight crown via unanimous decision over then-champion Belal Muhammad. Throughout his eight-fight UFC tenure, he’s accumulated six fight-night bonus awards, cementing his status as one of the promotion’s most exciting strikers.

The Challenger’s Ascension

Makhachev (27-1) arrived in the UFC as an undefeated prospect in 2015, but his promotional debut taught him a harsh lesson. In his second fight, the now-32-year-old Russian warrior suffered his only professional loss when Adriano Martins caught him in the first round with a knockout. That single blemish on an otherwise pristine record would prove to be the catalyst for an unprecedented run.

Following that setback, Makhachev reeled off ten consecutive victories, ultimately claiming the lightweight title via second-round submission in 2022. His title defenses have been equally dominant—he’s faced some of the division’s most dangerous names and emerged victorious each time. His triumph over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 and a subsequent submission victory secured him the record for most consecutive lightweight title defenses at four straight.

The Co-Main Event: Shevchenko’s Second Defense Meets Zhang’s Flyweight Dreams

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) returns to defend her title against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili, marking only the second defense of her second championship reign.

Shevchenko’s Dominance

Since dropping to 125 pounds after her loss to Amanda Nunes at bantamweight, Shevchenko has rewritten the history books. Her nine-fight winning streak and seven consecutive title defenses before falling to Grasso at UFC 285 established her as the division’s most elite performer. She reclaimed her belt in the trilogy against Grasso and has now successfully defended once, defeating Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision at UFC 315 in May.

Her statistical footprint in the division is staggering: 11 total wins, 4 KO/TKO victories, 10 title fight wins, and only 1.86 strikes absorbed per minute—a testament to her defensive mastery.

Zhang’s Move Up

The 36-year-old Zhang Weili brings heavyweight credibility from the 115-pound division, where she captured the belt in 2019 and defended it three times during her second run as champion. Her most recent outing saw her best Tatiana Suarez via decision at UFC 312 in February 2025. Now, Zhang aims to write a new chapter by pursuing UFC gold at 125 pounds—a significant step up in competition and athleticism.

The Supporting Cast

Sean Brady, a highly ranked welterweight contender, squares off against the undefeated Michael Morales in an opportunity to stake his claim for a title shot at 170 pounds. The preliminary and early prelim cards round out the evening with additional competitive matchups.

Card Details

Pay-Per-View Main Card:

• Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
• Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
• Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
• Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
• Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

Preliminary Card:

• Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
• Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
• Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
• Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon

Early Prelims:

• Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
• Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal
• Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline
• Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico

*Card subject to change