Islam Makhachev Claims UFC Welterweight Championship with Dominant Victory at UFC 322

New York, NY — Islam Makhachev etched his name into UFC history on Saturday night at UFC 322, as he dominated Jack Della Maddalena over five rounds to become the organization’s newest two-division champion. The fight, held at the iconic Madison Square Garden, saw Makhachev win in convincing fashion with a unanimous decision, as all three judges scored the bout 50-45 in his favor.

With the victory, Makhachev (28-1) extended his winning streak to 16 consecutive fights, tying a UFC record previously set by Anderson Silva. The victory also marked a culmination of a decade-long unbeaten run, as Makhachev controlled 19 minutes and 10 seconds of the fight—showing his mastery over the welterweight division.

“This is the dream,” Makhachev said in his post-fight interview. “All my life I’ve fought for this. I worked hard for this moment.”

A Suffocating Performance

From the opening bell, Makhachev’s strategy was clear: use his superior grappling and control to stifle Della Maddalena, who entered the cage with an air of confidence. Della Maddalena (18-3), who had been unbeaten since 2016, looked to showcase his striking and aggressive boxing, having earned the welterweight title in May with a thrilling win over Belal Muhammad. However, he found himself completely overwhelmed by Makhachev’s relentless wrestling and tactical approach.

The Russian fighter wasted no time taking the fight to the ground, securing a takedown early in the first round and keeping Della Maddalena on the mat for most of the contest. Makhachev’s control was suffocating, and despite Della Maddalena’s efforts to scramble back to his feet, the reigning welterweight champion had little success in defending Makhachev’s advances.

Makhachev’s Versatility on Display

In addition to his dominant grappling, Makhachev displayed an impressive arsenal of striking, mixing in calf kicks and head strikes to keep his opponent guessing. By the middle rounds, Della Maddalena’s body language had shifted from determination to resignation, with the champion showing visible signs of frustration and fatigue as he was repeatedly grounded by Makhachev’s top control.

Despite the one-sided nature of the bout, Della Maddalena never quit and continued to fight through the adversity, refusing to be finished. Makhachev, however, showed that his game plan—staying tight, aggressive, and in control—was virtually unbreakable.

“My life has changed,” Makhachev remarked, reflecting on his move up to the welterweight division. “I didn’t have to cut weight. I can do what I want. It made this night easy.”

A New Era for Makhachev

As Makhachev’s control over the fight continued, it became evident that the lightweight champion had transitioned seamlessly into the welterweight division. His dominance was reflected in the statistics: Makhachev outstruck Della Maddalena 123-32, largely due to his superior distance management and the crippling effect of his calf kicks.

While Makhachev was the betting favorite heading into the fight, there were concerns that Della Maddalena’s size and striking might present some challenges. However, Makhachev silenced those doubts early, shutting down Della Maddalena’s offense with his takedown game and grappling expertise.

This win solidified Makhachev’s place as one of the UFC’s greatest lightweights of all time. But now, the Russian champion enters a new chapter, with the welterweight division full of exciting new matchups.

Looking Ahead: The Next Challenge

After his dominant win, the 31-year-old Makhachev will shift his focus to the future, with one name on his radar: Ilia Topuria. The current UFC lightweight champion called out Makhachev shortly after UFC 322, exuding confidence that he can defeat the dominant champion.

“You’re the most boring thing in this game,” Topuria wrote on social media. “Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.”

Although Makhachev did not immediately call for a fight with Topuria in his post-fight comments, he made it clear that he has his sights set on the UFC’s upcoming events.

“Open the White House,” Makhachev said, referring to the UFC’s highly anticipated event in 2026. “I am coming.”

As the dust settles on UFC 322, one thing is clear: Islam Makhachev’s reign has only just begun, and the welterweight division is about to face a new kind of challenge.