Jack Della Maddalena primed for 'biggest challenge', as Islam Makhachev, Sean Brady and Leon Edwards discuss welterweight takeover at UFC 322
Updated 13/11/2025 at 17:48 GMT
Jack Della Maddalena believes he will face the “biggest challenge” of his career when he takes on Islam Makhachev in a welterweight takeover at UFC 322. The event will see some of the division's biggest names go head-to-head at Madison Square Garden, including Sean Brady taking on Michael Morales, while former champion Leon Edwards will also be in action against Carlos Prates.
‘Biggest challenge of my career’ - Della Maddalena on facing off against Makhachev at UFC 322
Video credit: TNT Sports
The welterweights will take centre stage at UFC 322, with some of the division’s biggest names set to go head-to-head, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday, November 15.
The main event will see Jack Della Maddalena defend the UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev in a mouthwatering bout.
Former UFC lightweight titleholder Makhachev is hoping to become a two-weight world champion at Madison Square Garden, but the division has even more to offer on the undercard.
Fresh off his impressive victory against former welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Sean Brady will go head-to-head with Michael Morales, who is eighth in the welterweight rankings.
Britain’s Edwards will also hope to return to winning ways against Carlos Prates.
The former champion is on a two-match losing streak, and another defeat would be damaging.
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Edwards fight in UK next year 'makes sense' for MVP
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Della Maddalena prepares for 'biggest challenge'
Della Maddalena believes that Makhachev will provide him with the "biggest challenge" of his UFC career so far in New York City.
Della Maddalena stunned the division when he defeated Belal Muhammad for the title at UFC 315, and now he will be hoping for more of the same in his first defence.
"I definitely feel like it's the target on my back," he told TNT Sports.
"Obviously, everyone's gunning for the top spot, but it's something I take in my stride. I'm very proud to be the champion so I look forward to all the challenges ahead.
"I definitely feel like this is the biggest challenge in my career. I've always wanted each fight to have a bigger and bigger challenge, so yeah, this is definitely on that trajectory.
"This is a tough fight, tough challenge, one of the greatest fighters in the UFC definitely."
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Highlights: Makhachev seals submission win over Moicano in round one, retains title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Makhachev talks legacy ambitions
Makhachev was a dominant force in the lightweight division, and now he has a chance to join an elite list of fighters by adding the UFC welterweight championship to his collection.
He will join the likes of UFC two-weight champions Randy Couture, Conor McGregor, and Amanda Nunes if he can get over the line this weekend.
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'It's a big thing' - Makhachev wants to make history with Della Maddalena victory
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The 34-year-old believes becoming a two-weight world champion will be huge for his legacy in the sport.
"This is a big thing, to be a double champion," he told TNT Sports. "For example, in our country no one has become a UFC double champion.
"It would be a big thing for my legacy, and I really want to take this belt and defend this belt.
"Let’s see after the fight, but I think this division is very good, there are a lot of good fighters."
Brady in no rush for title shot
Brady is second in the welterweight rankings ahead of his clash with Morales, but a title shot is not the only thing on his mind.
He says that he will be champion one day, and that it is only a matter of time.
"I think winning solves everything, and that's what I plan on doing Saturday," he said. "I'm going to go out there and win. If it's not enough, I'll fight again.
"Eventually I'll get to the belt, but it's not like my singular focus is on the belt. I want to be a champion. I will be a champion, but I'll get there when I get there."
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Highlights: Dominant Brady inflicts another defeat on Edwards
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Edwards says he can be champion again
Britain's Edwards has lost to Muhammad and Brady in his previous two bouts, but he believes that he can still return to the top of the mountain.
The 34-year-old admits that seeing Alex Pereira regain the UFC light heavyweight title is serving as inspiration for him ahead of his fight with Prates.
"I believe that all great champions have lost," he said. "Everyone who is considered a GOAT of boxing or martial arts has lost the fight, and you can't let that beat you down and hold you down.
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‘Accepting it for what it is’ - Edwards on moving on from defeat and looking ahead at UFC 322
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"You have just gotta keep going, if you truly believe in yourself and believe in the goal you're trying to achieve, then it, it'll all be there.
"People like Alex going two times, it's just a great inspiration to see, you know what I mean.
"It's still a new thing, so to see other people are going out there and achieving this, it can only give me motivation."
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UFC 322 fight card
Main card
- Jack Della Maddalena v Islam Makhachev
- Valentina Shevchenko v Zhang Weili
- Sean Brady v Michael Morales
- Leon Edwards v Carlos Prates
- Beneil Dariush v Benoit Saint-Denis
Preliminary card
- Bo Nickal v Rodolfo Vieira
- Roman Kopylov v Gregory Rodrigues
- Erin Blanchfield v Tracy Cortez
- Malcolm Wellmaker v Cody Haddon
Early preliminary card
- Kyle Daukaus v Gerald Meerschaert
- Pat Sabatini v Chepe Mariscal
- Angela Hill v Fatima Kline
- Baisangur Susurkaev v Eric McConico
How to watch UFC 322 in the UK
UFC 322 is live on TNT Sports 1.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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