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UFC 322 recap - Islam Makhachev wins the welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena, Brit Leon Edwards knocked out by Carlos Prates
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Updated 16/11/2025 at 08:19 GMT
Madison Square Garden in New York hosted UFC 322 for one of the biggest main events of the year so far. Welterweight champion Jack Della Maddelena lost his strap against Islam Makhachev, after the Dagestani decided to move up a weight class. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko defended her title against Zhang Weili, while Leon Edwards was beaten by Carlos Prates.
'It's a big thing' - Makhachev wants to make history with Della Maddalena victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Makhachev dominates Della Maddalena to win second world title
Islam Makhachev produced a dominant display to wrest the UFC welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden.
The challenger easily took down Maddalena in each round, spending 18 minutes of the 25 in control on the mat and, unsurprisingly, won the fight 50-45 on all three judges’ scorecards.
Makhachev vacated his lightweight crown to step up to the 170lbs limit, but the champion from Perth, Australia, hardly got a chance to show his physical advantage, if indeed there was one, as the Russian’s wrestling skills were superior.
He becomes the 11th fighter to win titles in two weight divisions and equals Anderson Silva’s record of a 16-fight winning streak in UFC.
The co-main event was just as one-sided, though in this case, it was the champion who was dominant. Valentina Shevchenko defended her flyweight title in a similar fashion, by repeatedly taking down the strawweight champion Zhang Weili.
She was also awarded a 50-45 victory on all three judges' scorecards.
Earlier on the card, Britain’s former world champion Leon Edwards suffered a second-round knockout defeat to Carlos Prates.
After Edwards won the opener, Prates used leg kicks to alter the former champion’s stance and then landed a straight left hand, which saw the Birmingham fighter rock back onto the canvas. His body convulsed backwards after landing on his backside, and after just one follow-up punch, the official jumped in.
An exciting possible contender to Makhachev may be Michael Morales, who extended his record to 19-0 with a first-round TKO victory over the previous No. 2-rated welterweight Sean Brady.
Makhachev joins the two-weight champion club
Makhachev wins undisputed decision
All judges award him a perfect night, winning 50-45.
Maddalena-Makhachev: Round 5
Makhachev with an even earlier takedown in this round, within the first twenty seconds. The one thing Maddalena has done well is avoid submissions on the mat as he avoids a chokehold. The defending champion gets to his feet in the last ten seconds but it was as one-sided a contest as you get. 18 minutes of the 25, saw Maddalena on the ground.
Maddalena-Makhachev: Round 4
Makhachev shows his skills on his feet landing jabs and kicks from his southpaw stance before again choosing the perfect moment before the two minute mark to take his opponent down. It is pretty easy for Makhachev to keep his advantage and only in the final ten seconds does Maddalena get back to his feet.
Maddalena-Makhachev: Round 3
Maddalena has success at the start of the round, the stronger fighter and better striker, but it could not last as Makhachev went low and took down the Australian. The crowd boo but it matters not. Makhachev is on his way to a shutout unless Maddalena can find a way to stay on his feet.
Maddalena-Makhachev: Round 2
Maddalena lands a good right hand in close before Makhachev forced him against the Octagon. They go to grounds where the Russian has the advantage. Makhachev lands brutal elbows on Maddalena before the Perth fighter lifts himself to his feet, but the champion is clearly two rounds down.
Maddalena-Makhachev: Round 1
Maddalena lands a couple of early strikes but Makhchev takes his opponent down with a single-leg takedown without too much difficulty before the minute-and-a-half mark. As Maddalena tried to get up, Makhachev took his back and looked to get a choke hold on, before having control with the Aussie on his back again. He did avoid the attempts from the Russian fighter getting him in a front-faced headlock. On the buzzer, Makhachev is unimpressed as Maddalena lands an illegal kick.
It's Time!
Chills...Every...Time
Welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) defends his title against former lightweight champ, Islam Makhachev (27-1)
Maddalena strides to the ring to AC/DC's TNT
The Aussie fighter looks on a mission. He has not lost in 10 years.
The fighters' thoughts on the UFC Welterweight title fight
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‘Biggest challenge of my career’ - Della Maddalena on facing off against Makhachev at UFC 322
Video credit: TNT Sports
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'It's a big thing' - Makhachev wants to make history with Della Maddalena victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Main Event is next...
Islam Makhachev has the biggest test of his career. Can he match Anderson Silva's 16-match unbeaten streak?
Shevchenko wins unanimous decision
And all three judges award her a perfect night: 50-45.
Shevchenko-Zhang: Round 5
Shevchenko takes Zhang down to the mat for the fifth time a minute into the round. Zhang keeps fighting to the end and stops Shevchenko from doing too much damage but cannot find a way out until Shevchenko gets up with 20 seconds remaining.
A lukewarm reception from the crowd but an emphatic performance from the champion. No one expected it to be that one-sided.
Shevchenko-Zhang: Round 4
Shevchenko hurts Zhang with a kick to the body early on and adds a couple of more kicks to the body and then to the head with another knee lift in close hitting the target. Zhang keeps looking for big shots but can't get close to the bigger fighter. With just over a minute remaining, Zhang is put down on the mat again - and held there.
Shevchenko-Zhang: Round 3
Shevchenko looks such a calm presence, while Zhang is a hive of energy. The Kyrgyzstan fighter lands good counter shots and a kick. Zhang avoids an early takedown but with just over a minute and a half on the clock is put back on the mat and held there until the end of the round. A shutout so far for Shevchenko.
Shevchenko-Zhang: Round 2
Shevchenko takes Zhang to the mat once more and holds her there for the rest of the round. Zhang under no threat of submission but has to take intermittent head shots and will certainly have her tank zapped by defending on her back for almost a full round.
Shevchenko-Zhang: Round 1
Zhang lands the first big shot a straight right hand. After more posturing Zhang charges Shevchenko but gets taken to the mat. Zhang gets up after a minute, taking a knee to the head for her troubles. Zhang lands another good right but is then taken to the mat again, where Shevchenko maintains control - ensuring her the dirt round.
The Co-Main Event is Next!
Two of the greatest female fighters in UFC history set to meet. Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) defends her flyweight title against strawweight champion Zhang Weili (26-3).
The two pound-for-pound female fighters meet...
Morales: Dana I need the belt!
There will be no complaints if the Ecuadorian gets a shot in 2026.
Morales stops Brady in Round 1!
He is the real deal! Morales tagged Brady with a right hand and had the veteran wobbling around the Octagon. Setting things up with his ramrod jab, the wild right hands that followed didn't always land but the warning was there. When the big right did find its target the end was nigh. Morales followed up with a barrage of shots then with Brady on the mat, tomahawk punches on the head led the referee to step in.
Brady takes on Morales next
No2-ranked welterweight Sean Brady (18-1) fights Michael Morales (18-0) in an intriguing match-up. Brady is as good a grappler as there is, if Morales can handle him, surely he is a future world champion.
Prates knocks out Edwards in Round 2!
Prates began the round better but there was nope indication he would produce the left hand strike which put Edwards on his backside and with his body then convulsing backwards, Prates landed another shot with Edwards on the mat before the fight was called off.
That is the first time Prates has been knocked out.
Edwards-Prates: Round 1
Edwards locks Prates up in a clinch against the Octagon but after a minute or so the referee separates them. Edwards lands a couple of front kicks and then takes Prates down, getting position on his back. Prates stands up but Edwards retains a hold and pounds Prates in the cheek. Eventually the pair go back to the mat and Edwards attempts a choke hold. Easily Edwards' round.
We are set to go...
Edwards (22-5) takes on Carlos Prates (27-5) - the 4th-ranked against the No9 welterweight.
Leon Edwards is up next...
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‘Accepting it for what it is’ - Edwards on moving on from defeat and looking ahead at UFC 322
Video credit: TNT Sports
Saint-Denis wins in 16 Seconds!
After an initial clinch a left hook behind the ear saw Dariush knocked out and fall to his knees and face plant to the mat.
Lightweights up first...
Veteran Beniel Dariush (23-6-1) takes on exciting French fighter Benoit Saint-Denis (15-3).
The Main Card is next...
We are one fight away from Leon Edwards gets back in the ring.
Nickal: Love me or hate me, pick one!
"I took my first loss but it gave me more belief in myself than anything prior," Nickal said.
Nickal knocks out Vieira in Round 3!
He was winning the fight easily but that came out of nowhere. An incredible head kick behind the ear that knocked out Vieira before he hit the ground.
A real statement win!
Nickal-Vieira: Round 2
Nickal continues his fantastic display of striking, easily getting through Vieira's defence with his southpaw right hand. Even when Vieira manages to clinch, his defence prevents him from being taken him down.
Nickal-Vieira: Round 1
Nickal takes control, bullying his more experienced opponent, taking him to the mat and easily out-striking Vieira with an elbow in close opening up a big cut to the left of his eye.
Middleweights next...
Bo Nickal (7-1) meets Rodolfo Vieira (11-3).
Rodrigues takes unanimous decision on points!
The Brazilian takes the fight 30-27 (twice) and 29-28.
Kopylov-Rodrigues: Round 3
A better round for Kopylov he catches Rodrigues with a good left hook but the shots seem to bounce off the Brazilian. Rodrigues' nose is also bloody and he ends the bout taking punishment against the Octagon, a right hand and a head kick. He may have taken that round, but it is too late to win the fight.
Kopylov-Rodrigues: Round 2
Rodrigues locks in an ankle lock early on that Kopylov does well to get out of, but he cannot keep the brutal Brazilian off him. His powerful jobs open up a cur on Kopylov and a right hand wobbles him in the last minute. He follows up with a knee lift and opens up cuts on the Russian's nose and mouth. A big round for Rodrigues.
Kopylov-Rodrigues: Round 1
Kopylov is clearly wary of the power of Robocop, but at the end of the round he took him to the mat, only to receive a heel kick to the face for his trouble.
Kopylov takes on Rodriguez next
A middleweight contest between two brutal strikers in Russian Roman Kopylov (14-4) and Gregory Rodriguez (17-6) of Brazil.
Blanchfield makes Cortez tap in Round 2
Both had some joy in the early stages of the round but Blanchfield gained control taking Cortez to the mat and landing some vicious ground and pound. Cortez got to her feet but Blanchfield kept a grip of her and charged with her halfway across the Octagon sending her back to the canvas, turning her and locking in a chokehold which led to a tap out.
Blanchfield-Cortez: Round 1
Cortez just gets the better of the opener though she has a nasty looking cut above her right eye.
Blanchfield-Cortez up now
A bantamweight contest with No4 Erin Blanchfield (13-2) taking on No8 Tracy Cortez (12-2).
Ewing wins on points!
He is awarded the fight 30-27 and 29-28 (twice). A fantastic victory for the late replacement who came into the contest at bigger than 3/1 odds.
Wellmaker-Ewing: Round 3
The beginning of the round is even, with both having their moments. After a good combination, Ewing then grabs Wellmaker in a clinch. In the last couple of minutes it is still Ewing landing with cleaner shots, with numerous strikes and a knee lift. He takes Wellmaker down in the final minutes and then gets position on his back to emphasise his victory, surely.
Wellmaker-Ewing: Round 2
Ewing continues where he left off, landing a good left kick upstairs and good right hands in close. Wellmaker lands some shots soon afterwards, but the better blows are coming from Ewing, with two more rights and a left kick upstairs. He is surprisingly boxing better opening up a cut on Wellmaker who seems less inclined to fight at close quarters. A remarkable five punch flurry of hooks and uppercuts rock Wellmaker's head back. The round ends with Wellmaker landing a spinning elbow then Ewing launching a big right hand on the pre-fight favourite.
Wellmaker-Ewing: Round 1
You have to feel for Ewing coming into this contest late. Wellmaker has earned his fiercesome reputation and a check right hook goes close to putting him down, but the underdog warms into the contest and takes his opponent down momentarily. He has control for most of the last two minutes and throws in a couple of knees while headlocking his opponent on the buzzer.
Wellmaker-Ewing up first
A bantamweight contest sees Malcolm Wellmaker (10-0) take on late replacement Ethyn Ewing (8-2), who replaced the injured Cody Haddon in a featherweight contest.
The fight card!
We are live!
And the prelims will begin shortly.
We will go live on TNT Sports 1 shortly!
Hello and welcome...
Welcome to live coverage of UFC 322, held live at Madison Square Gardens in New York, United States.
Welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena headlines as he makes a defence against Islam Makhachev in one of the most anticipated fights of the year
Before then, there is another welterweight clash as Briton Leon Edwards faces Carlos Prates.
‘Biggest challenge of my career’ - Della Maddalena on facing off against Makhachev at UFC 322
Video credit: TNT Sports
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