Rancak Media: Former Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev Shows Confidence Heading into Title Fight Against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
Islam Makhachev is poised to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, identified as the reigning welterweight champion, in the much-anticipated main event of UFC 322. This significant clash is slated for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, kicking off Sunday morning in Indonesia.
A victory for Makhachev in this bout would elevate him to the prestigious status of a two-division world champion within the UFC, although not simultaneously, as he would have already relinquished his lightweight throne. This championship contest against Jack Della Maddalena, also known as JDM, presents a unique challenge for Makhachev. Notably, it marks his debut in the welterweight division, a significant shift after competing in 17 previous UFC fights outside this weight class.
The transition between the lightweight and welterweight divisions involves a substantial 15-pound (approximately 6.8 kg) difference in the maximum fighter weight. This limit is strictly enforced during the weigh-ins held a day before the fight, after which fighters are permitted to rehydrate and regain weight as they please. In an interview cited by MMA Fighting, Makhachev expressed no apprehension regarding this size disparity. On the contrary, he welcomes the change, eager to escape the rigorous and often brutal diet required to meet the 155-pound (70 kg) lightweight limit. The 178cm-tall fighter is confident that this move will allow him to unleash even more of his capabilities inside the octagon.
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Makhachev elaborated on the detrimental effects of extreme weight cutting, stating, “No one who loses weight (significantly), like 10kg, more than 10kg, they will never recover 100 percent afterward.” He added, “I still feel my body recovers, maybe 70 or 60 percent, for the fight because it’s very difficult to do in 30 hours.”
Despite enduring such grueling weight-cutting rituals, Makhachev has amassed an impressive 15 consecutive victories to date. He is intrigued to discover how much more potent he can be when entering a fight at 100 percent hydration and full physical capacity. Makhachev issued a warning to Della Maddalena, asserting that his strength and pressure would become increasingly formidable as the fight progresses. The later rounds, particularly the final two or three, could prove to be a decisive turning point for Makhachev, especially given his pronounced advantage in ground fighting.
Makhachev stands ready to deploy his superior wrestling prowess. With his long-time friend and mentor, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, once again in his corner, Makhachev is fully open to employing the legend’s tactical approach: drag the opponent to the canvas, establish control, and utterly dominate the fight.
Recounting Nurmagomedov’s advice, Makhachev stated, “(Nurmagomedov) asked me to slam him, take him down, and tire him out.” He further expressed confidence in his finishing abilities on the mat: “I think I can finish him on the ground. I can choke him, or do an armbar, or something like that.” The 34-year-old fighter acknowledged Della Maddalena’s ground skills, conceding, “I see his ability in ground fighting. He’s good, but I have something superior.”
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Summary
Islam Makhachev is scheduled to challenge Jack Della Maddalena (JDM) for the welterweight title at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. This fight marks Makhachev’s debut in the welterweight division, where he aims to become a two-division UFC champion after relinquishing his lightweight belt. He welcomes the 15-pound weight class transition, expecting improved performance by avoiding severe weight cuts that he believes hinder full physical recovery.
Makhachev, who boasts 15 consecutive wins, expresses confidence that he will enter the fight fully hydrated and at peak physical capacity. He warns JDM that his strength and pressure will intensify in the later rounds, leveraging his superior ground fighting skills. With mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner, Makhachev plans to implement a dominant wrestling strategy to take JDM down, control the fight, and pursue a submission finish.
