West Australia's first UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena is preparing for the biggest fight of his career as he defends his welterweight title against legendary lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Champion vs Champion Showdown
Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) enters the octagon as the defending welterweight champion, facing one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. His opponent, Islam Makhachev (27-1), has vacated his lightweight title to move up a division and challenge for the welterweight strap in what's being billed as a potential fight of the year.
The matchup presents a classic stylistic clash that has fight fans buzzing with anticipation. Della Maddalena's explosive striking power will test Makhachev's renowned grappling prowess in a battle that could redefine both fighters' legacies.
Coach's Insight and Preparation
Speaking from New York, Della Maddalena's coach Ben Vickers from Scrappy MMA provided insights into their preparation for this historic bout. The Australian camp has been working tirelessly to develop a game plan that can counter Makhachev's dominant ground game while capitalising on JDM's superior striking abilities.
"This is exactly the type of challenge Jack thrives on," Vickers told reporters on site. "We respect what Islam brings to the table, but we're confident in our skills and preparation."
Stacked UFC 322 Fight Card
The main event headlines an impressive fight card featuring multiple championship bouts and rising contenders. The co-main event sees women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) defending against former champion Weili Zhang (26-3) in another highly anticipated rematch.
Other notable matchups on the main card include:
- Sean Brady (18-1) vs Michael Morales (18-0) in a welterweight clash
- Leon Edwards (22-5) taking on Carlos Prates (22-7)
- Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) facing Benoit Saint-Denis (15-3-1NC) in lightweight action
The preliminary card features undefeated prospect Malcolm Wellmaker (10-0) against Ethyn Ewing (8-2), along with middleweight contenders Bo Nickal and Roman Kopylov in separate bouts.
Historic Moment for Australian MMA
This championship defence marks a significant moment for Australian mixed martial arts, with Della Maddalena representing Western Australia on the global stage at one of combat sports' most iconic venues. Madison Square Garden has hosted numerous historic UFC events, and this welterweight title fight continues that tradition.
The fight represents Makhachev's attempt to become a two-division champion, while Della Maddalena looks to solidify his status as one of the sport's elite fighters by defeating a pound-for-pound great.
Fans can follow all the action live from the prelims through to the main event as these two champions collide in what promises to be an unforgettable night of UFC action.
