The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) delivers an action-packed night on Saturday, November 15, 2025, with UFC 322 headlining Madison Square Garden in New York City. This highly anticipated event, available live via ESPN+ Pay-Per-View (PPV), features two championship bouts that could reshape the landscape of their respective divisions, alongside several other compelling matchups promising significant implications for the fighters’ careers and title pictures.
### Main Event: Welterweight Title Clash – Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
The night’s main event centers on the UFC Welterweight Championship, where Islam Makhachev challenges reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev, a dominant force in the lightweight division and a teammate of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, seeks to capture the welterweight belt and join the exclusive “champ-champ” club—fighters who hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously.
Makhachev’s quest for welterweight gold is particularly intriguing given his unique vision of the division’s future. Should he dethrone Della Maddalena, Makhachev already has a surprising contender in mind for his first title defense, a choice that has left fans and analysts scratching their heads due to its unconventional nature. This element adds another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes bout.
Jack Della Maddalena, the current welterweight champion, is known for his aggressive striking and relentless pace. His rise to the top has been marked by impressive victories, and he enters this fight determined to prove he belongs among the elite in the division. The outcome of this fight could dramatically alter the title scene and the trajectory of both fighters’ careers.
### Co-Main Event: Flyweight Title Fight – Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
Sharing the spotlight in the co-main event is a women’s flyweight title showdown between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Zhang Weili. Both fighters come into this bout with impressive credentials, having dominated their previous weight classes before moving to flyweight.
Valentina Shevchenko is widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled and dominant female fighters in UFC history. Her precise striking, grappling acumen, and championship experience make her a formidable opponent for anyone in the division.
Zhang Weili, the former strawweight champion, made her name by thoroughly clearing out the strawweight division before moving up in weight to challenge Shevchenko. Their clash promises a fascinating contrast of styles and a chance to see two elite athletes at the top of their game battle for supremacy.
### Other Key Matchups on the Main Card
Beyond the title fights, UFC 322 features several pivotal bouts that could influence future title contention, particularly in the welterweight division. Sean Brady faces Michael Morales in a welterweight clash that could propel the winner closer to a title opportunity. Similarly, Leon Edwards squares off against Carlos Prates in another welterweight matchup with significant implications.
In the lightweight division, Beneil Dariush meets Benoit Saint Denis in a fight that ended in a stunning upset. Saint Denis secured a first-round knockout just 16 seconds into the bout, delivering a massive overhand punch that quickly ended the contest. This victory immediately raises Saint Denis’s profile and shakes up the lightweight rankings.
### Prelims Spotlight: Rising Stars and Redemption Stories
The UFC 322 prelims offer a stacked lineup, showcasing rising talent and fighters looking to rebound from recent setbacks. The late prelims are headlined by Bo Nickal taking on Rodolfo Vieira in a middleweight bout. Nickal, who previously suffered a tough defeat against Reinier de Ridder, looks to erase those memories with a statement victory and cement his place in the UFC's middleweight scene.
Other notable fights on the late prelims include Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues, Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez, Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Ethyn Ewing, and Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert. These matchups feature a mix of grappling specialists and striking talents, promising exciting contests that could propel winners into higher-profile fights.
The early prelims, airing from 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, Disney+, and FX, feature Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal, Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline, Baisangur Susurka