Islam Makhachev gets his shot at greatness when he moves up to welterweight to face reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena in the main event for UFC 322, which takes place on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
UFC CEO Dana White announced the news on Thursday.
A four-time defending champion at lightweight, Makhachev made the decision to move up to 170 pounds after Della Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad to become champion back in May. Makhachev has long teased his interest in moving
to welterweight but he didn’t want to face Muhammad, who has become a friend and frequent training partner in recent years.
Now with a new champion cemented at the top of the division, Makhachev relinquished his 155-pound title and sets off on a new course to try and conquer a second division.
As for Della Maddalena, the Australian born champion maintains an undefeated record in the UFC while taking out names like Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Randy Brown before earning a decision win over Muhammad to become champion.
Della Maddalena faces an entirely different challenge with Makhachev moving up to welterweight in one of the most anticipated fights in 2025.
