Former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moved up to the 170-pound weight class to challenge titleholder Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event on Saturday. He relinquished his 155-pound world title for an opportunity to join the exclusive club of two-division UFC champions.
The bout put two of the fight promotion’s longest winning streaks against each other. Makhachev entered the fight at Madison Square Garden riding 15 consecutive wins . His only career defeat came a decade ago. Della Maddalena brought an 18-fight winning streak with him to the octagon. It had been nine years since “JDM” felt a loss.
Makhachev opened the fight with a leg kick. Della Maddalena pressed forward with punches but Makhachev stayed out of range. Maddalena switched stances early. He pressured Makhachev. Makhachev connected with a left hand. He clinched and tripped Della Maddalena to the ground. He worked in half guard. Makhachev connected with short punches. Della Maddalena scrambled and Makhachev took his back. Della Maddalena rolled to his back and Makhachev maintained top position. He delivered short left hands. Della Maddalena isolated a leg in the closing seconds and delivered kicks from his back. Makhachev won the opening round 10-9 on MMAWeekly’s scorecard.
Makhachev began the second frame with a hard calf kick. He landed another one. Makhachev went high with a kick but it was blocked. Makhachev clinched and Della Maddalena tried to trip Makhachev but ended up on the bottom. Makhachev stayed heavy on top while mixing in punches and elbows. Makhachev moved Della Maddalena away from the fence. He postured up and delivered elbows. Della Maddalena got to his feet in the final seconds of the frame. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Makhachev pressed forward in the third. He landed a calf kick. Della Maddalena began pressuring the challenger. Makhachev delivered another calf kick that seemed to hurt Della Maddalena. They clinched and Maddalena went to the body with a combination. Makhachev perfectly timed a takedown. Makhachev was able to control Della Maddalena and pepper him with short strikes. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Della Maddalena landed first in the fourth with a leg kick. Makhachev responded with a kick to the body. Makhachev targeted the body again. Makhachev went back to delivering leg kicks. He changed levels and put Della Maddalena on his back with three minutes remaining in the stanza. Della Maddalena rolled and Makhachev took his back. He applied a body triangle and Della Maddalena fought hands. Makhachev trapped an arm but Della Maddalena got it free. Makhachev looked to isolate an arm late in the round. He stood at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Makhachev.
Della Maddalena pressured Makhachev to start the final frame. Makhachev ducked under punches and put Della Maddalena on his back. Short left hands followed. Makhachev put on a clinic. Della Maddalena’s 18-fight winning streak came to an end and Makhachev solidified himself in UFC history as a two-division champion.
The judges scored the fight unanimous for Makhachev. The scorecards read 50–45, 50–45, and 50–45.