UFC 322 Results: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev, Shevchenko vs. Zhang Analysis
UFC 322 featured thrilling bouts that captivated fans, showcasing a clash of champions in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
UFC 322 Main Event: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev
The highlight of UFC 322 took place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, where Jack Della Maddalena defended his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev. This marked Della Maddalena’s first title defense, while Makhachev aimed to capitalize on an opportunity by moving up from lightweight.
Ranked No. 8 in ESPN’s men’s pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings, Della Maddalena faced formidable competition against the second-ranked Makhachev, who entered the contest having participated in five consecutive championship fights.
Key Fight Details:
- Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Della Maddalena’s Ranking: No. 8 in men’s P4P
- Makhachev’s Ranking: No. 2 in men’s P4P
- Significance: Della Maddalena’s first title defense
Co-Main Event: Shevchenko vs. Zhang Analysis
The co-main event saw former strawweight champion Zhang Weili transition to the women’s flyweight division to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the title. Zhang, holding the top spot as No. 1 in the women’s P4P rankings, faced Shevchenko, who was ranked second in the same category.
This matchup represented not only a title fight but also a battle of elite fighters, as both athletes had previously showcased their skills at the championship level.
Co-Main Event Highlights:
- Co-Main Event: Zhang Weili vs. Valentina Shevchenko
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Zhang’s Ranking: No. 1 in women’s P4P
- Shevchenko’s Ranking: No. 2 in women’s P4P
Expert analysts Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim, and Dre Waters provided in-depth commentary and analysis following the event, breaking down all the thrilling action from UFC 322.
UFC 322 not only highlighted the competitive spirit of UFC fighters but also reinforced the organization’s status as a premier platform for championship bouts in mixed martial arts.
