Islam Makhachev successfully defended his title against Jack Della Maddalena in a compelling co-main event at UFC 322, held on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight, broadcast live on ESPN+ pay-per-view, showcased Makhachev’s tactical superiority, as he dominated Della Maddalena throughout all five rounds, ultimately winning by unanimous decision with all judges scoring the bout 50-45 in his favor.
From the outset, Makhachev employed his signature grappling techniques, landing timely takedowns that set the tone for the fight. In the first round, Makhachev executed a well-timed takedown after absorbing some early jabs from Della Maddalena, who was eager to capitalize on any openings. However, Makhachev quickly established control, spending a significant portion of the round on top and landing short punches and elbows to wear down his opponent.
As the fight progressed into the second round, Makhachev continued to smother Della Maddalena against the fence, returning with effective ground-and-pound strategies that left the crowd less entertained, but demonstrated his dominance in the cage. Despite Della Maddalena’s attempts to scramble and rise to his feet, Makhachev maintained a firm grip on the bout, not allowing him to gain momentum.
In the third round, Makhachev’s striking arsenal came into play as he landed hard leg kicks and powerful jabs, leaving Della Maddalena hesitant and on the defensive. Each time Della Maddalena seemed poised to strike back, Makhachev’s grappling prowess quickly took him down, where he continued to control the action from the ground.
By the fourth round, Della Maddalena struggled to mount any offense, exhibiting signs of fatigue as Makhachev’s relentless pressure kept him grounded. Makhachev’s grappling skills not only minimized Della Maddalena’s ability to attack but also allowed him to maintain a commanding lead on the scorecards.
Throughout the fight, Makhachev’s tactical game plan shone through, showcasing his skills as a top-tier athlete in the UFC lightweight division. Della Maddalena, despite his best efforts, found himself outmatched by Makhachev’s experience and ability to implement his strategy effectively.
This thorough victory adds another impressive win to Makhachev’s record, bringing him to a remarkable 29-1, while Della Maddalena’s record now stands at 18-4. The fight highlighted Makhachev’s prowess and reaffirmed his status as one of the elite fighters in mixed martial arts today.