Islam Makhachev Makes History with Dominant Win Over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322

Islam Makhachev’s ascent in the UFC continues to break records and redefine what it means to be a champion. His latest victory, a stunning display of wrestling and control, saw him dominate Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, capturing the welterweight title in Madison Square Garden. The performance was so one-sided that it not only earned Makhachev the coveted second belt but also etched his name into the annals of UFC history.

From the opening bell, Makhachev looked every bit the dominant force that he has become in the UFC. The fight was a masterclass in wrestling, with Makhachev spending almost the entire 25-minute contest in control, either hunting for submissions or punishing Della Maddalena from top position. His relentless pressure, including constant takedowns and punishing ground-and-pound, left Della Maddalena with few options.

By the end of the fight, all three judges had scored the bout 50-45 in Makhachev’s favor, and the scorecards reflected the nature of the fight. Della Maddalena, known for his striking and undefeated run at welterweight prior to the fight, found himself outclassed in every facet of the game. Makhachev grappling was too much, and his strikes, particularly his calf kicks, kept Della Maddalena from finding any rhythm on the feet.

The victory over Della Maddalena wasn’t just another championship win, it was a historic moment for Makhachev, who tied UFC legend Anderson Silva for the longest win streak in UFC history at 16 consecutive victories. His streak stretches all the way back to 2015, and this latest triumph cemented his place among the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.

“This is the dream,” Makhachev said after the fight, beaming with pride. “All my life for these two belts. I’m really happy, and the belt's so heavy and I like it. I worked hard for this moment.”

Makhachev’s dominance, however, didn’t just come from his winning streak, it came from his strategic approach. The Russian powerhouse has made it clear that his game plan is simple yet devastating wrestling. "This [wrestling] is my plan, it's not secret," Makhachev said. "All my opponents know this, and nobody can stop it."

Makhachev's win over Della Maddalena was as dominant as they come. The fight turned into a one-sided clinic, with Makhachev landing an impressive 140 strikes out of 188 attempts, boasting a 74% accuracy rate. In contrast, Della Maddalena could only land 30 strikes across the entire 25-minute bout. But the numbers don’t end there. Makhachev controlled the action for an absurd 19 minutes and 10 seconds, over 76% of the total fight time.

Della Maddalena never had a chance to settle into his rhythm. Whether it was Makhachev’s suffocating top control or his relentless leg kicks, the Australian challenger was overwhelmed at every turn. The final minutes of the fight saw Della Maddalena appear deflated in his corner, as the reality of the fight’s one-sidedness set in.

Despite moving up to welterweight for the bout vacating his lightweight title in the process Makhachev looked right at home at 170 pounds. His strength, combined with his elite wrestling, made the jump up in weight seem seamless. He wasted no time getting the fight to the ground, securing a single-leg takedown early in the first round and imposing his will on Della Maddalena from that point forward.

The move to welterweight was a statement, not just for Makhachev’s talent but also for his ambition. While some fighters struggle when transitioning between divisions, Makhachev showed that his skill set and physicality are effective no matter the weight class.