What We Learned from Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena at UFC 322
When Islam Makhachev walked into UFC 322, there were questions about how his lightweight dominance would translate against an elite welterweight striker. He walked out with answers and another belt. For over five rounds, Makhachev delivered a composed, disciplined, and relentlessly effective performance. This performance earned him a unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena, cementing himself as a two-division UFC champion.
The biggest takeaway? Makhachev didn’t stray from what makes him special. From the opening minutes, he leaned heavily on his wrestling and jiu-jitsu, forcing Della Maddalena to defend in ways he simply hasn’t needed to at the welterweight level. Every entry was set up cleanly: calf kicks to freeze the base, feints to draw reactions, and level changes that came only when Jack’s feet were planted. When Makhachev shot, he got in deep, and each takedown shifted the momentum further in his favor.
Once the fight hit the mat, Makhachev’s control was suffocating. He lived in half guard, flattening Della Maddalena and methodically breaking down his defenses. He mixed short elbows with steady pressure, and even when the submission attempts weren’t close, the threat alone forced Jack to stay conservative. Round after round, the pattern repeated: If Della Maddalena had space on the feet, Makhachev took it away.
For Della Maddalena, the lesson was harsh but clear. His boxing, usually sharp, composed, and devastating, never had the time or rhythm it needed. When he did land clean jabs or a quick right hand, Makhachev absorbed them well and immediately returned to grappling range. Even late in the fight, when Della Maddalena tried to push the pace, Makhachev’s entries remained airtight. The Australian’s heart was unquestionable, but this was a chess match fought on Makhachev’s board.
Another key takeaway: Makhachev’s striking continues to evolve in ways that make his grappling even more dangerous. The calf kicks mattered. The feints mattered. The patient pacing, picking spots rather than forcing takedowns, showed a fighter who understands how to manage 25 minutes across weight classes without overextending himself.
When it was over, there was no mystery about the scorecards. Makhachev didn’t just win rounds; he controlled the identity of the fight from start to finish. The result cements him as one of the most complete fighters in the sport today and raises an even bigger question for the welterweight division. Who, if anyone, has the skill set to stop this version of Islam Makhachev?
