Dana White announces UFC 322 Superfights Featuring Makhachev, Weili
Dana White Announces UFC 322: Two Champions Move Up in Historic Double-Header at Madison Square Garden
UFC President Dana White took to social media Tuesday night to announce a blockbuster card for UFC 322, featuring two reigning champions moving up in weight to challenge for a second title.
UFC 322 is set for Saturday, November 15, at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In the main event, newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena will make his first title defense against former Lightweight Champion and current pound-for-pound #2 ranked fighter Islam Makhachev.
Australia’s Della Maddalena, nicknamed “GDM,” captured the welterweight title at UFC 315, defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision with a masterful display of takedown defense and crisp boxing. The win marked his 8th straight UFC victory and his 18th consecutive win overall.
His challenger, Dagestan’s Islam Makhachev, boasts one of the most impressive résumés in UFC history. Riding a 16-fight win streak, Makhachev dominated the lightweight division for over two years, with four successful title defenses—including two wins over Alexander Volkanovski. After relinquishing his lightweight title, Makhachev now sets his sights on cementing his legacy as a two-division champion.
In the co-main event, Zhang Weili aims to become just the second woman in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes as she challenges Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship.
Weili began her second reign as Strawweight Champion by reclaiming the belt from Carla Esparza, and went on to defend it successfully three times before vacating the title in pursuit of flyweight gold. Shevchenko, meanwhile, is in her second stint as Flyweight Champion, having regained the belt in a thrilling trilogy with Alexa Grasso. With one title defense already under her belt in this second reign, Shevchenko now prepares to face fellow future Hall of Famer in a historic matchup.
Also featured on the UFC 322 main card: former Welterweight Champion and #4 ranked contender Leon “Rocky” Edwards returns to action against Brazil’s dangerous knockout artist and #9 ranked welterweight Carlos Prates.
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