UFC President Dana White has officially confirmed that Jack Della Maddalena will defend his welterweight championship against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden. The blockbuster card will also feature a huge champion vs champion clash between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili, alongside a welterweight showdown between Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates. With multiple high-stakes matchups, UFC 322 is already being billed as one of the most anticipated events of 2025.
Epic fights in The World’s Most Famous Arena ‼️
Jack Della Maddalena vs @MakhachevMMA 🏆@BulletValentina vs Zhang Weili 🏆@Leon_EdwardsMMA vs @TheNightmare170
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— UFC (@ufc) August 29, 2025
Della Maddalena vs Makhachev: A Showdown for the Ages
Jack Della Maddalena, widely known as ‘JDM’, makes his first title defence since dethroning Belal Muhammad in May. Standing across from him is Islam Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight crown to step up in weight and chase two-division glory. The bout is being hailed as a true clash of styles: Makhachev’s elite wrestling and grappling against Della Maddalena’s sharp, clinical striking.
Speaking ahead of the fight, Makhachev made his intentions clear: “I’ve trained for this opportunity for years. JDM is a great champion, but I’m not coming to lose.” Fans and pundits alike are already debating whether Makhachev’s dominance will carry over into the welterweight division, or if Della Maddalena will cement his reign with a defining win.
Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili: Champion vs Champion
The co-main event brings another blockbuster as flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko takes on Zhang Weili, who vacated her strawweight title to chase history in a higher division. The matchup pits Shevchenko’s technical mastery against Zhang’s ferocious power and speed, with many predicting this could be the fight of the night.
“Zhang is an incredible athlete and I respect her skills,” Shevchenko said. “This will be a true test for both of us.” For Zhang, victory would secure her place as a two-division champion, while Shevchenko looks to reinforce her dominance over yet another challenger.
Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates: A Pivotal Welterweight Clash
Adding further excitement to the UFC 322 card, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards returns to the Octagon against rising contender Carlos Prates. Edwards, eager to prove he’s still among the elite, will be fighting to reclaim momentum after losing his belt. Prates, meanwhile, sees this as the perfect opportunity to make a statement against one of the division’s most battle-tested veterans.
“Leon is a veteran, but my time is now,” Prates said. “I’m ready to showcase my skills on the biggest stage.” With Edwards’ experience against Prates’ hunger, this matchup could prove decisive in shaping the next wave of title contenders at 170 pounds.
Key Details
- Event: UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden, New York
- Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
- Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev – Welterweight Title
- Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili – Flyweight Title
- Featured Fight: Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates – Welterweight Division
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is UFC 322 taking place?
- UFC 322 will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
- Who is fighting for the welterweight title at UFC 322?
- Jack Della Maddalena will defend his welterweight championship against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
- What other title fight is on the card?
- Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight crown against Zhang Weili, who vacated her strawweight title to move up in weight.
- What is the significance of Zhang Weili’s move?
- Zhang Weili is aiming to become a two-division champion by moving from strawweight to flyweight to challenge Shevchenko.
- What other major fight is featured?
- Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards will face rising contender Carlos Prates in a pivotal matchup.
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