On November 15, 2025, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City for UFC 322, promising one of the most thrilling fight cards of the year. UFC CEO Dana White recently unveiled a trio of blockbuster matchups that have fans buzzing with anticipation. Featuring two title fights and a high-stakes welterweight clash, UFC 322 is shaping up to be a historic night for mixed martial arts. Here’s a breakdown of the major announcements and what they mean for the sport.
Headline Fight: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
The main event pits newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena against former lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev in a champion-vs-champion showdown. Della Maddalena, a 28-year-old Australian phenom, captured the welterweight title with a stunning performance against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May 2025. Undefeated in eight UFC fights, Della Maddalena has earned five finishes and six Performance Bonuses, showcasing his lethal striking and grappling prowess.
Makhachev, ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, vacated his lightweight title in June 2025 after a record-setting four consecutive defenses, including a dominant win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Moving up to welterweight, the 33-year-old Russian aims to join the elite group of UFC fighters who have claimed belts in multiple weight classes. His grappling-heavy style, mentored by former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, will face a stern test against Della Maddalena’s versatile skill set. Intriguingly, Vegas odds list Makhachev as the favorite, a rare occurrence for a challenger moving up a weight class, highlighting the high expectations for his performance.
Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
The co-main event features another champion-vs-champion clash, as two-time UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko defends her title against two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili. Shevchenko, 37, reclaimed her flyweight belt in a decisive victory over Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant women in MMA history with a record eight title defenses in the division.
Zhang, 36, has been equally dominant at strawweight, securing 10 wins and five Performance Bonuses since her second title reign began in November 2022. Her recent shutout of Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 showcased her relentless pressure and striking. To pursue this superfight, Zhang vacated her strawweight title, setting the stage for a historic bid to become only the second woman, after Amanda Nunes, to hold UFC titles in two weight classes. Like the main event, oddsmakers favor the challenger, Zhang, making this a rare instance where both defending champions are underdogs.
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
Adding to the card’s star power, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards returns to face rising contender Carlos Prates. Edwards, 34, is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak after being outclassed by Sean Brady in March 2025. Ranked No. 4 in the welterweight division, the British fighter remains a fan favorite for his technical striking and resilience. Prates, ranked No. 9, has been a knockout machine, stopping 11 of his last 12 opponents, including a highlight-reel finish of Geoff Neal at UFC 319. This matchup promises fireworks and could position the winner for a future title shot.
Additional Fights and Context
The UFC 322 card also includes a women’s flyweight bout between Erin Blanchfield and Tracy Cortez, adding depth to an already stacked lineup. The event marks the UFC’s 12th visit to Madison Square Garden and its first since UFC 309 in November 2024. While the announced fights have generated significant excitement, some fans expressed disappointment on social media, noting that a long-awaited heavyweight title unification bout between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall was initially rumored for this card. ESPN reports suggest that while UFC 322’s lineup is “amazing,” it doesn’t match the global hype a Jones-Aspinall clash would have generated.
Event Details
Date: November 15, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA
Broadcast: ESPN+ (Main Card: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT; Prelims: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT)
Tickets: Available via presale registration at ufc.com
Why It Matters
UFC 322 represents a pivotal moment in the UFC’s 2025 calendar, combining high-stakes title fights with the allure of champion-vs-champion matchups. For your WordPress site, set to Eastern Time (America/New_York, UTC-4), the event’s 10:00 PM ET main card start time ensures seamless integration with your audience’s schedule, especially for US-based fans following the fights. Whether it’s Della Maddalena defending his welterweight crown, Shevchenko battling to retain her flyweight dominance, or Edwards aiming to reclaim his spot among the elite, UFC 322 promises to deliver unforgettable moments in the Octagon.
