Doubling Up: UFC 322 Main Event Preview and Main Card Picks
November 14th, 2025, 9:06 PM ET
Written by Danny Varano
UFC 322 Main Card is Live on Saturday at 10:00 PM ET
All odds provided by ESPN Bet
(Main card picks listed at the bottom of the article)
The UFC is back in the Empire State for its annual pitstop at MSG. A trip to the historic arena, unanimously renowned as the Mecca of combat sports, demands an unrivaled display. UFC 322 kicks off Saturday, live from the Big Apple, as two generational champions seek to garner the fruitful prize of a second belt. The upcoming spectacle will mark the first time two legends attempt to realize double champ status on the very same night.
In the headliner, decorated lightweight Islam Makhachev ascends to welterweight to challenge current 170lb king Jack Della Maddalena. Paralleling the central drama, in the co-main event, preeminent strawweight champ Zhang Weili leaps up a division to confront flyweight titleholder, and the top ranked pound-for-pound female fighter, Valentina Shevchenko.
Although the nearby card is certainly unprecedented in its pair of champ-champ title melees, the yearly spectacle in NYC has always been linked to the dual-belt milestone.
History of UFC at MSG
At UFC 205 in 2016, the promotion made its inaugural appearance under the bright lights of the never snoozing city. Leading the lineup was none other than the Notorious Conor McGregor. At the time, the prominent Irishman was already adorned with the featherweight belt. For the main event at MSG, the UFC granted McGregor the opportunity to contend for lightweight gold, and become the first fighter to simultaneously occupy two world titles.
On the night, Mystic Mac cashed in on his dream. In a masterful performance, McGregor disposed of former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in under two complete rounds. Following the victory, the Irishman climbed atop of the cage, draped in the tri-color flag, and hoisted his pair of shiny gold straps. The iconic scene would redefine the ambitions of every young mixed martial artist.
At the subsequent MSG event in 2017, Georges St-Pierre added a middleweight belt to his wealth of welterweight title defenses. Six years later, Alex Pereira threw two championship medals over his shoulders in the prolific arena.
As Saturday night approaches, Dagestan’s Makhachev and China’s Weili plot to etch their names in the stone of double champs crowned at Madison Square Garden.
Additionally, as it pertains to the Dagestani, a dub this weekend ties Anderson Silva’s record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history (16). Yet, a very formidable combatant obstructs Makhachev’s trail to the record books.
Main Event Preview
This past May, Australian assailant Jack Della Maddalena became the third UFC world champion from The Land Down Under. At UFC 315, the Aussie edged out a unanimous decision win over Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight throne.
Fortunately for JDM, the bout with Muhammad provides convenient preparation for this weekend’s clash. Makhachev, his current opponent, and Muhammad, his former foe, share very similar fighting styles. Both competitors are equipped with world-class wrestling technique, yet neither man shies away from exchanges on the feet.
The path to victory for Maddalena is very much a copy and paste of his last contest. JDM is arguably the most gifted boxer in the UFC. In the May bout, Maddalena superbly planted himself in the middle of the octagon and tactfully dissected Muhammad with his striking. He utilized a stiff jab and rangy body kicks to interrupt his opponent’s forward momentum. To the surprise of many, when Muhammad was able to enter close-range, Maddalena very effectively defended against wrestling initiations.
While Maddalena has obtained himself a valuable model, Makhachev looks to Muhammad’s defeat as a sort of anti-gameplan. Rather than primarily entertaining striking advances, the Dagestani will likely prioritize grappling. His boxing and Muay Thai methods will serve as bridges to wrestling attacks.
Pace will also be a determining factor in the outcome of the matchup. Whoever controls the tempo, attains the advantage. For JDM, a slower, more calculated dance tips in his favor.
Adversely, Makhachev would be wise to embrace some chaos. By surging forward with his odd Russian style hooks, the Dagestani will force Maddalena on to the back foot and leave him vulnerable to takedowns.
Additionally, one weapon in particular could prove lethal for both men. Although the technique will be employed in dissimilar circumstances, anticipate the two to implement a healthy dose of knee strikes.
As he perfectly landed in his battle with Gilbert Burns, Maddalena will apply the tool as a counter to diving wrestling attacks.
Contrarily, ploys to defend against wrestling could expose JDM to knees from Makhachev. Jack Della tends to dip and roll after throwing combinations. The tactic allows him to sturdy his base and prepare for wrestling advances from his opponent. Yet, if Makhachev can time the ducks built into JDM’s boxing, a shooting knee could devastate the Australian.
Official Main Event Prediction
Sound the alarms! It’s prediction time…everybody stay calm!
Club Underground foresees Islam Makhachev adding to his already lengthy chapter in the UFC encyclopedia. Although Maddalena previously triumphed over a similar challenge in Belal Muhammad, Makhachev possesses a more polish striking prowess and very resilient wrestling.
JDM will benefit from a slight size advantage, however, ultimately, Islam’s persistent grappling will wear him down. This headliner projects to be a full twenty-five minutes of captivating entertainment, and the Dagestani actualizes a unanimous decision win.
Makhachev walks out of MSG lugging a pair of gold belts, and cements his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his generation.
Underground pick: Makhachev wins by unanimous decision.
Complete List of Main Card Picks:
Welterweight Title Fight: Jack Della Maddalena (+250 underdog) vs Islam Makhachev (-320 favorite) – Underground Pick: Winner – Islam Makhachev
Flyweight Title Fight: Valentina Shevchenko (-135) vs. Zhang Weili (+115) – Underground Pick: Winner – Zhang Weili
Welterweight Fight: Sean Brady (-135) vs. Michael Morales (+115) – Underground Pick: Winner – Michael Morales
Welterweight Fight: Leon Edwards (+145) vs. Carlos Prates (-175) – Underground Pick: Winner – Carlos Prates
Lightweight Fight: Beneil Dariush (+155) vs. Benoît Saint Denis (-185) – Underground Pick: Winner – Benoît Saint Denis
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