UFC 322 Preview, Prediction: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
UFC 322 is set for this weekend and expected to be a good one as the main event will feature a UFC welterweight division title fight between the challenger, Islam Makhachev, and Jack Della Maddalena, who currently holds the UFC welterweight title.
Makhachev got to this point by previously winning and defending the UFC lightweight title multiple times before moving up to the welterweight division. As for Della Maddalena, this will be his first title defence after winning it earlier this year.
My article will take a deep dive into this fight, which will also include my best bet.
Makhachev is a -300 favourite to win on the MMA odds, while Della Maddalena is a +240 underdog.
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Odds and Betting Trends
Looking at the odds for this fight, we see that Makhachev is the betting favourite despite being the challenger. That means Della Maddalena is the underdog to defend his UFC welterweight title for the first time.
Other markets would suggest that this fight will not need the judges, as betting the fight to end inside the distance carries odds of -190, while betting the fight to go the distance has odds of +130. More specifically, backing Makhachev to win by submission is the most likely result and has odds of +175.
Islam Makhachev
Makhachev has become one of the most dominant UFC fighters ever and enters this fight with an MMA record of 27-1 and a staggering 16-0 in the UFC. He has won 15 consecutive UFC fights dating back to 2016, which includes his most recent fight, a submission win against Renato Moicano in January of 2025.
Makhachev has shown a balanced fighting style, averaging 2.63 significant strikes per minute, 3.20 takedowns every 15 minutes, and 1.1 submission attempts every 15 minutes. He has won five times by KO/TKO, 13 times by submission, and nine times by decision.
Jack Della Maddalena
Della Maddalena has also been making his case for one of the greatest UFC fighters ever, entering this fight with an overall MMA record of 18-2 and a perfect 9-0 in the UFC. His most recent success was a win against Belal Muhammed by unanimous decision in May 2025, in which he was crowned the UFC welterweight division champion.
Unlike Makhachev, Della Maddalena’s primary focus is on his striking. He averages 6.84 significant strikes per minute. Despite his lack of grappling, Della Maddalena has won 12 times by KO/TKO, two times by submission, and four times by decision.
UFC 322 Prediction: Who Will Win Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev?
Instead of picking an outright winner, I am simply targeting this fight to end inside the distance.
Makhachev has seen 12 of his 16 career UFC fights end inside the distance, which includes eight of his last nine UFC fights. Della Maddalena, on the other hand, has seen five of his nine career UFC fights end inside the distance.
Both Makhachev and Della Maddalena have unique fighting styles, but both can knock out or submit their opponents on a moment’s notice. Given that, my prediction for the UFC 322 main event is for the fight to end inside the distance.
