Might 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Belal Muhammad (not pictured) for the Welterweight Title throughout UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Necessary Credit score: Eric Bolte-Imagn Photos Jack Della Maddalena makes the primary protection of his welterweight title towards former light-weight titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on Saturday in New York.
A pair of title fights prime the pay-per-view providing, with Zhang Weili transferring up from girls’s strawweight to girls’s flyweight to attempt to knock off champion Valentina Shevchenko within the co-main occasion.
Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA) is driving an 18-fight successful streak after capturing the title at UFC 315 in Might with a unanimous determination over Belal Muhammad. The 29-year-old Australian informed reporters Thursday afternoon he’s grateful for the chance to try to beat Makhachev (27-1 MMA), who’s ranked No. 2 by the UFC in its pound-for-pound rankings.
“That is what I bought into this sport for,” Della Maddalena mentioned in regards to the combat. “Huge challenges. Huge moments. I am excited for the problem. I am wanting ahead to it. I am excited for this combat on Saturday. It is gonna be a very good night time.”
Makhachev vacated his UFC light-weight title within the spring to maneuver up a weight class, however the former champion mentioned he’s being undervalued only for switching divisions.
“That is my dream, man,” the 34-year-old Russian mentioned. “I am very near my dream. All my skilled profession once I was light-weight champion, it is my dream to develop into double champion. Two extra days.”
Somebody’s successful streak will probably be snapped come combat night time, as Makhachev enters the combat having gained 15 in a row.
The co-headliner has its personal stakes hooked up. Each girls have immense respect for one another and count on one of the best from each other in a combat UFC CEO Dana White says will undoubtedly decide who’s the best feminine fighter of this era.
“While you speak about a real tremendous combat, you may have two champions in two totally different weight lessons,” White mentioned. “No. 1 vs. No. 2 pound-for-pound. It would not get any higher than that.”
Zhang (26-3 MMA) will probably be competing at Madison Sq. Backyard for the third time. The 35-year-old China native beat Carla Esparza there in November 2022 after dropping there to Rose Namajunas a yr earlier.
“I feel this time, I will (win),” Zhang mentioned. “And the brand new (champion).”
Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA) expects one of many hardest fights of her profession.
“I feel it will be an important combat,” the 37-year-old Kyrgyzstan native mentioned, “and I am undoubtedly going to place every little thing I’ve into an enormous efficiency. All my expertise, pace and energy. I am right here to defend my title.”
The primary-card bout order:
Primary occasion — Jack Della Maddalena (c) vs. Islam Makhachev, UFC welterweight title
Co-main occasion — Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Zhang Weili, UFC flyweight title
Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales, welterweight
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates, welterweight
Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint Denis, light-weight
–Discipline Degree Media
