Makhachev’s Title Challenge at UFC 322
This year, Islam Makhachev has put aside financial gains to chase new titles. The former UFC lightweight champion is set to confront the welterweight title holder, Jack Della Maddalena, at Madison Square Garden during the UFC 322 main event on November 15. This was announced by CEO Dana White via Instagram on Thursday night.
Prior to this, Makhachev, who is known for his strength in the 155-pound division, recently defended his title in January but chose to vacate it in pursuit of the 170-pound championship. His decision came after Della Maddalena’s notable win against Makhachev’s training partner, Belal Muhammad, in May, which earned him the Chicago-born belt.
The co-main event will showcase Della Maddalena versus Makhachev, while Valentina Shevchenko will defend her women’s flyweight title against Zhang Weili. Both fighters have been dominant in their divisions; Shevchenko successfully defended her title against Manon Fiorot in May, and Zhang picked up three title defenses, the latest being in February against Tatiana Suarez.
Despite having opted out of the chance to become the simultaneous two-division champion like Amanda Nunes, Zhang was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the second woman to claim UFC titles across different weight classes.
White has also revealed that a new strawweight champion will be crowned at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, UAE on October 25, where grappling specialists Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern are among the top contenders for the vacant title.
Moreover, UFC 322 will feature former welterweight champion Leon Edwards taking on Carlos Plets, as shared in a recent live stream.
One more match, the women’s flyweight rematch between Erin Blanchfield and Tracy Cortez from Elmwood Park, New Jersey, is still pending confirmation following earlier reports.
Madison Square Garden has been a key venue for the UFC since New York legalized professional MMA in 2016. This upcoming event is shaping up to be highly anticipated, especially recalling how Conor McGregor made history as the first simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC.
