Islam Makhachev had a chance to make history, earning a belt in a second weight class. Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned welterweight champ, had a chance to establish his name, and knock off one of the pound-for-pound best, in the UFC 322 main event.
The welterweight title fight that arrived on Saturday in New York City capped off a thrilling night of action, with a number of explosive finishes that fight fans would not soon forget. Those performances might have been spectacular; Maddalena vs. Makhachev was very much about greatness.
Champ JDM had what could only be called an intense look on his face, as he prepared to welcome former lightweight champ Makhachev to 170lbs. Maddalena put the pressure on early, going after the challenger, throwing hands. Makhachev fired a front kick that hit air; Maddalena went to the body. Makhachev did land a few calf kicks, and a minute in, landed his first takedown of the fight.
In half guard, nowhere near the fence, Makhachev had ample time to work. He fired punches to the body and head. Maddalena nearly scrambled out, but gave up his back doing so. The champ scrambled to the fence, Makhachev still on him, but nearly found himself caught in a choke. Maddalena tried to escape out the back, but couldn’t quite make it. Makhachev wound up on top, in half guard. The Dagestani challenger worked for a guillotine, but Maddalena was able to avoid it. He fired upkicks at round’s end, with ref Herb Dean warning the champ that Makhachev was a downed opponent.
Maddalena fanned on a kick to open round two; Makhachev landed his. Makhachev nearly caught a kick, but the champ pulled free. Another leg kick landed for Islam. He then came close with a head kick. JDM clipped Makhachev on the way in, but that didn’t seem to deter the challenger. He tied up JDM along the fence, and soon had the takedown, as much a Maddalena defensive error as an offensive success. Maddalena was in effect upside down for a moment, in north-south, until they came out with Makhachev on top, in half guard. Tight along the fence, Maddalena had nowhere to go. Makhachev had three minutes on the clock.
Unable to scramble out or wall walk, Maddalena was in limbo. Makhachev would eventually get the pair away from the fence, still in full control on top. Maddalena fended off an arm-triangle attempt, but Makhachev dropping a few good elbows. Maddalena did make it to his feet after that, with all of ten seconds left in the round.
About a minute into round three, a Makhachev calf kick nearly took Maddalena’s legs out from under him. The champ then switched stances; a clinch ensued, with both fighters landing. Another leg kick from Makhachev, then a level change and a double-leg takedown. Maddalena appeared to have no answer for the wrestling of the Dagestani. When Makhachev couldn’t set up a choke, he mixed in some shoulder strikes. Then elbows.
More leg kicks softened up Maddalena to start round four. Then, 90 seconds in, came the shot for the takedown. Landed with ease. Maddalena topped over like a tower of cards. Makhachev controlled a wrist. JDM tried to scramble, but couldn’t extricate himself. Soon he had Makhachev on his back, hooks in. The rear-naked choke was in play. Maddalena turned, and the challenger transitioned to top. No finish, but another dominant round.
Another takedown came early for Islam Makhachev in round five. Maddalena, leg chewed up, seemingly had no answer for anything. The most that could be said was that he had avoided being finished. Makhachev worked from guard in this final round, added shoulder strikes, looked for a submission, but ultimately couldn’t put Jack Della Maddalena away. Not that it matters. After twenty-five minutes there was zero question that Islam Makhachev was the new UFC welterweight champion, and now a two-division champ following his lightweight reign.
Official Result: Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
