UFC 322 live: Result and reaction as Islam Makhachev steamrolls Jack Della Maddalena to win second title
Islam Makhachev moved up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for his belt, having given up the lightweight title earlier this year
Islam Makhachev made history at UFC 322 as he steamrolled Jack Della Maddalena to claim welterweight gold and become a multi-division UFC champion.
While many expected Della Maddalena to give the formidable Dagestani a tough test on his maiden outing at 170lbs, the Australian succumbed to the sport’s pound-for-pound best in what was only his first title defence. He was shut out on the ground for the entire fight with the scorecards reading 50-45 in Makhachev’s favour across the board.
In the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Zhang Weili emulated Makhachev by moving up a division but was dominated by flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko over five rounds, falling to a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of “Bullet”.
Elsewhere on the main card, British former welterweight champion Leon Edwards was knocked out in the UFC for the first time as Carlos Prates dealt him a third consecutive loss, while Benoit Saint Denis recorded the sixth fastest knockout in the promotion’s history over veteran Beneil Dariush.
Follow live updates and results from UFC 322 below, from the prelims to the main event.
Islam Makhachev trounces Jack Della Maddalena to earn multi-champion status at UFC 322
Islam Makhachev made easy work of Jack Della Maddalena to snatch his welterweight title and become a multi-division champions at UFC 322, achieving something his legendary coach and childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov never managed.
Makhachev steamrolled the Australian across five rounds in a bout that was nearly difficult to watch, with the 34-year-old’s systematic destruction of Della Maddalena’s right calf leaving the defending champion in visible agony for the championship rounds.
He was shut out for five straight rounds on the ground, with the scorecards reading 50-45 in Makhachev’s favour across the board.
Full report:
Makhachev trounces Della Maddalena to earn multi-champion status at UFC 322
Islam Makhachev schools Jack Della Maddalena to become two-weight champion
Knockouts galore at UFC 322
UFC 322 results in full
‘C’ denotes champion
Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena (C) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Valentina Shevchenko (C) def. Zhang Weili via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Michael Morales def. Sean Brady via first-round TKO (ground punches, 3:27)
Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards via second-round knockout (straight jab, 1:28)
Benoit Saint Denis def. Beneil Dariush via first-round knockout (punches, 0:16)
Prelims
Bo Nickal def. Rodolfo Vieira via third-round knockout (head kick, 2:24)
Gregory Rodrigues def. Roman Kopylov (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Erin Blanchfield def. Tracy Cortez via second-round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:44)
Ethyn Ewing def. Malcolm Wellmaker via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kyle Daukaus def. Gerald Meerschaert via first-round submission (D’Arce choke, 0:50)
Pat Sabatini def. Chepe Mariscal by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fatima Kline def. Angela Hill by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric McConico by third-round knockout (punches, 1:38)
Matheus Camilo def. Viacheslav Borshchev by unanimous decision (30-27, 20-27, 29-28)
UFC 322 live: Islam Makhachev smiles with Khabib Nurmagomedov as he does what his legendary friend couldn't manage in UFC
UFC 322 live: Jack Della Maddalena roundly dominated in first title defence
UFC 322 live: Islam Makhachev makes history become two-division champion
UFC 322 live: Islam Makhachev wants next fight to be in White House
Islam Makhachev has just called for his first defence of the welterweight title to be in next summer’s White House card.
Especially after tonight, there are no shortage of contenders.
UFC 322 live: Islam Makhachev steamrolls Jack Della Maddalena to become two-division UFC champion
“This is the dream,” Islam Makhachev said. “All my life for these two belts. I am really happy. And the belts are so heavy and I like it.
“My life is changed, not cutting wait. I can wrestle, I can do anything. It was so easy.
“This is my play. It’s no secret. All of my opponents know this and nobody can stop.”
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