UFC 322: Champion vs Champion Takes Center Stage

This Saturday, the world’s most famous arena—Madison Square Garden—will be the epicenter of the mixed martial arts universe as UFC 322 rolls into New York City. It’s not just another fight night; it’s a celebration of dominance, ambition, and the kind of legacy-defining clashes that have made the sport a global phenomenon. With only four events left on UFC’s 2025 calendar, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev: Welterweight Supremacy

In the main event, current welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) faces his toughest test yet, putting his belt on the line against Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC)—the former lightweight king moving up in weight for a shot at double-champ status. Della Maddalena, riding an 18-fight win streak and fresh off dethroning Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, now faces a man who has dominated the lightweight division with a 15-fight win streak of his own.

Makhachev’s move up is more than a tactical decision; it’s a quest for greatness. After submitting his last lightweight challenger in just under a minute at UFC 311, Makhachev relinquished his title, focusing all his energy on the welterweight crown. For him, the challenge is not only physical but symbolic—the chance to cement his place among the sport’s all-time greats. As MMASucka notes, this main event has all the makings of a fight-of-the-year candidate.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili: Women’s Flyweight Fireworks

Just before the main event, another champion vs champion clash will electrify the crowd. Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC), the long-reigning flyweight queen, faces Zhang Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC)—a former strawweight champion who vacated her title for the opportunity to make history in a new division.

Shevchenko’s resume speaks volumes: unbeaten in her last three, a dominant 10-1-1 record in 12 consecutive title fights, and a stranglehold on the flyweight division. Zhang, meanwhile, brings her own five-fight win streak and a reputation for tactical evolution. As she revealed at UFC 322 media day, she’s constantly changing her fighting style, adapting and surprising opponents. Her move to flyweight isn’t just about chasing another belt—it’s about finding new challenges and redefining her own limits. Will she return to strawweight if she loses—or even if she wins? “We’ll see,” Zhang said, keeping her options open and her focus laser-sharp on Shevchenko.

This clash is more than a title fight; it’s a meeting of two of the most technically gifted fighters in women’s MMA, each with the ability to control the fight on the feet and on the ground. For Zhang, victory means two-division glory. For Shevchenko, it’s another chapter in an already storied career.

Key Contender Bouts: Brady vs. Morales, Edwards vs. Prates

Beyond the headline superfights, UFC 322’s main card is stacked with bouts that could shape the championship landscape for months to come. In welterweight action, No. 2 contender Sean Brady (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) faces the undefeated No. 8 Michael Morales (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC). Brady, with back-to-back guillotine submissions and a recent Performance of the Night bonus, is one win away from a possible title shot. Morales, meanwhile, has yet to taste defeat and is looking to crash the division’s elite with a statement victory.

The main card also features No. 4 Leon Edwards (22-5, 1 NC MMA, 14-4, 1 NC UFC) versus No. 8 Carlos Prates (22-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in another welterweight showdown, as well as a lightweight scrap between No. 9 Beneil Dariush (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) and No. 13 Benoit Saint-Denis (15-3, 1 NC MMA, 7-3 UFC). Every fight on the card carries implications for the future of their respective divisions, making UFC 322 a must-watch from top to bottom.

Missed Opportunities and the State of Champion vs Champion Fights

As NY Post’s “Against the Cage” podcast pointed out, UFC 322’s double-champ headliners are spectacular, but some fans wonder if the promotion missed a golden opportunity. Both Makhachev and Zhang Weili vacated their original titles to pursue glory in new divisions, raising questions about the legitimacy of “champion vs champion” billing. Does the excitement of the matchups outweigh the technicality of title status? For most, the answer is yes—these are legacy fights that transcend belts and rankings.

Still, the UFC’s decision to pursue these high-stakes bouts speaks to a broader trend in combat sports: fans crave spectacle, but also narrative. The journeys of fighters like Makhachev and Zhang, who risk everything for a shot at greatness, give these events an emotional resonance that numbers alone can’t capture.

What to Expect: Fireworks, Drama, and the Next Chapter in MMA History

As the lights go up in Madison Square Garden, the question hanging in the air isn’t just who will win, but who will seize the moment. Will Jack Della Maddalena’s streak survive the challenge of a dominant lightweight legend? Can Valentina Shevchenko’s reign continue against an opponent hungry for two-division glory? And which contenders will rise to the occasion, setting themselves up for title shots in 2026?

With 14 fights on the card and live coverage beginning at 6 pm ET on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, fans are in for a marathon of high-level MMA. The event isn’t just a showcase of skill; it’s a reminder of why the sport continues to captivate millions. And as the year winds down, UFC 322 will be remembered as the night when champions met destiny—and the next generation made its mark.

UFC 322 demonstrates the sport’s ongoing evolution, where ambition and adaptability drive fighters to chase history across weight classes. The card’s stacked lineup and champion-vs-champion matchups deliver spectacle and substance, even as questions remain about the future of divisional dominance. In the end, it’s the pursuit of greatness—by fighters and promotion alike—that keeps fans coming back.

Thought you’d like to know

When and where is UFC 322?

UFC 322 takes place on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The event is held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Who is fighting in the main event?

The main event features welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena defending his title against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. This is a champion versus champion superfight.

What is the co-main event?

The co-main event is for the women’s flyweight championship. Champion Valentina Shevchenko defends her belt against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who moved up a weight class.

How can I watch UFC 322?

The main card is available via pay-per-view. Early prelims stream on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, starting at 6 pm ET.

Why is this event called ‘champion vs champion’?

Both main event fighters are current or recent champions. Makhachev and Zhang vacated their original titles to compete for gold in new divisions, creating these unique matchups.

Are any titles on the line besides the main event?

Yes. The women’s flyweight championship is also on the line in the co-main event between Shevchenko and Zhang. Both top fights have major title implications.

Trusted Sources

Reuters, Associated Press, MMA Junkie, ESPN, MMA Fighting