UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden delivered an unforgettable night of fights. The main card was stacked, highlighted by a historic matchup between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. Moving up from lightweight, Makhachev went for the welterweight title and walked out as a two-division UFC champion. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko defended her women’s flyweight belt against Zhang Weili, showing once again why she’s one of the sport’s most dominant champions. Beyond the title fights, the main card featured knockout finishes and impressive performances that kept the action exciting from start to finish.
Islam Makhachev Becomes a Two-Division Champion
In the main event, Islam Makhachev put on a wrestling clinic against Jack Della Maddalena, winning a unanimous decision with all judges scoring it 50‑45. Makhachev controlled the fight from start to finish, mixing his elite grappling with precise striking. He repeatedly took Della Maddalena to the ground and kept him there, neutralizing any chance of an upset. On the feet, Makhachev landed clean shots and dictated the pace, making it clear why he’s considered one of the most complete fighters in the UFC. With this win, Makhachev joins the exclusive club of two-division champions and ties Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive UFC wins.
Valentina Shevchenko Dominates Zhang Weili
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko once again proved she’s at the top of the women’s flyweight division. Shevchenko controlled every round, using her range, timing, and grappling to keep Zhang Weili from mounting any sustained offense. Her counters, body kicks, and takedown defense made it a one-sided fight that ended in a unanimous decision. Shevchenko’s ability to read her opponent and adjust mid-fight shows why she’s one of the most technically gifted champions in MMA history.
Michael Morales Impresses with First-Round TKO
Michael Morales made a big statement in his welterweight bout against Sean Brady. Morales used sharp striking to keep Brady from using his wrestling and ended the fight with a first-round TKO in just over three minutes. This win solidifies Morales as a rising contender in the welterweight division and highlights his ability to perform under pressure.
Carlos Prates Knocks Out Leon Edwards
Carlos Prates produced one of the most shocking moments of UFC 322 when he knocked out Leon Edwards in the second round. Edwards had an early takedown and even threatened a submission, but Prates recovered and landed a clean straight left that ended the fight at 1:28 of round two. It was Edwards’ first knockout loss in the UFC and immediately shook up the welterweight rankings.
Benoit Saint Denis Finishes Beneil Dariush in 16 Seconds
The lightweight division saw a lightning-fast finish as Benoit Saint Denis knocked out Beneil Dariush in just 16 seconds. Dariush had missed weight, and Saint Denis made him pay with a clean left hook right out of the gate, followed by a follow-up strike that ended the fight instantly. This one-punch knockout was one of the fastest finishes in recent UFC history and put Saint Denis firmly on the map as a dangerous contender.
UFC 322 Wrap-Up
UFC 322 was a night full of historic moments, from Islam Makhachev becoming a two-division champion to Valentina Shevchenko’s flawless title defense. Knockouts from Carlos Prates and Benoit Saint Denis added high drama, while first-round TKOs and dominant decisions showed the depth of talent in the UFC. With these results, the welterweight and lightweight divisions are poised for exciting matchups in the coming months, and the flyweight division remains firmly under Shevchenko’s control.
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