UFC 322: Will Islam Makhachev and Zhang Weili dethrone Jack Della Maddalena and Valentina Shevchenko in New York?

Jack Della Maddalena will make the first defense of his welterweight championship when he faces former lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on Saturday in New York. The event features two major title bouts, with Zhang Weili moving up from strawweight to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in the highly anticipated co-main event.


Della Maddalena (18-2) enters the fight on an impressive 18-fight winning streak after claiming the welterweight title at UFC 315 with a dominant decision win over Belal Muhammad. The 29-year-old Australian said he is embracing the enormity of the challenge ahead. "This is what I got into this sport for - big challenges, big moments," he said. "I’m excited for the fight on Saturday. It’s gonna be a good night."



Makhachev (27-1), who vacated his lightweight belt earlier this year to pursue two-division glory, believes many are underestimating him simply because he has moved up in weight. The Russian star, riding a 15-fight winning streak, reiterated that achieving double-champion status has always been his dream. "I’m very close to my dream," he said. "Two more days."


In the co-main event, UFC CEO Dana White called Zhang vs Shevchenko a "true super fight," featuring champions from different divisions and the top two women in the pound-for-pound rankings. Zhang (26-3) will fight at Madison Square Garden for the third time, confident she can leave with a second UFC title. "I think this time I’ll win - and the new," she said.

Shevchenko (25-4-1), however, expects a tough battle. The 37-year-old believes Zhang presents one of the biggest challenges of her career. "I’m going to put everything I have into this performance," she promised. "All my experience, speed and power - I’m here to defend my title."

UFC 322 promises high stakes, elite talent, and potentially historic outcomes in both championship fights.