Islam Makhachev made history at UFC 322 in New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, delivering a dominant five-round performance to secure the welterweight championship and officially become a two-division UFC champion.
The Russian superstar controlled every minute of the highly anticipated main event, defeating Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring it 50–45.
A Historic Night for Makhachev
Makhachev (28-1) achieved yet another milestone by tying Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive UFC wins, extending a remarkable unbeaten run that has lasted more than a decade.
He also produced a staggering 19 minutes and 10 seconds of control time, demonstrating once again why many consider him the most dominant grappler in the sport.
“This is the dream. All my life I’ve fought for this. I worked hard for this moment,”
— Islam Makhachev after the fight
Five Rounds of Complete Control
From the opening seconds, it was clear that Makhachev had come with a clear game plan: pressure, smother, and dominate.
How Makhachev Took Over the Fight
Shut down Della Maddalena’s early offence within seconds
Secured his first takedown almost immediately
Maintained relentless top pressure
Mixed powerful calf kicks with sharp head strikes
Neutralised the Australian’s boxing advantage
Della Maddalena (18-3), who had not lost since 2016, entered the cage as a dangerous striker and the reigning welterweight champion. But on this night, he had no answer to Makhachev’s elite grappling.
Striking and Control Stats
Makhachev outstruck Della Maddalena 123–32
Secured every takedown attempt
Used calf kicks to slow the champion’s movement
Kept Della Maddalena’s back pinned to the canvas for long stretches
By the third round, the Australian appeared resigned to defeat, though he refused to be finished. Still, Makhachev’s dominance never wavered.
“This was my plan, and it’s not a secret. All of my opponents know this, but nobody can stop it.” — Makhachev
Thriving at Welterweight
Makhachev thanked the move up in weight for his improved performance, admitting that avoiding a harsh weight cut made him feel fresher and stronger.
“My life has changed. I didn’t have to cut weight. I can do what I want. It made this night easy,”
— Makhachev on fighting at welterweight
What’s Next for the New Two-Weight Champion?
The welterweight division is stacked with fresh contenders, and UFC 322 showcased a few hungry future challengers.
Potential Future Opponents
Carlos Prates – defeated Leon Edwards in a statement finish
Michael Morales – stopped Sean Brady with a brutal display
Ilia Topuria – current lightweight champion, calling for a super-fight
Topuria wasted no time in sending a message on social media:
“You’re the most boring thing in this game. Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.”
— Ilia Topuria on X
Although Makhachev did not directly call out Topuria, he did make his intentions clear about where he wants his next fight to happen.
“Open the White House. I am coming.” — Makhachev, referring to the UFC’s planned 2026 event in Washington, D.C.
Conclusion
Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322 was not just a win — it was a statement. He proved he can compete at the highest level in a second weight class, maintained his legendary streak, and strengthened his claim as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
Welterweight now has a new king, and the division’s future looks more exciting than ever.
Sources
UFC 322 Main Event Coverage
Post-Fight Comments from Islam Makhachev
Official Fight Statistics and Judge Scorecards
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