Makhachev-Della Maddalena, Shevchenko-Zhang to headline UFC 322
UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena will defend his title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden, UFC CEO Dana White announced Thursday.
Makhachev (27-1) vacated his lightweight title for the opportunity to become a champion in a higher weight class. The 33-year-old will set his sights on a new belt following four successful title defenses in the 155-pound division.
Della Maddalena (18-2) will look to defend his title successfully for the first time since defeating Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision in May. The Australian racked up victories against Randy Brown, Kevin Holland, and Gilbert Burns before earning a title shot.
Zhang Weili (26-3) is vacating the women's strawweight belt ahead of challenging Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) for the women's flyweight title in the co-main event. The 36-year-old Weili moves up a division on a five-fight win streak that includes a second-round finish over Carla Esparza and a decision win over Tatiana Suarez in her most recent bout.
Shevchenko has impressed in her two most recent fights, earning decision wins over Alexa Grasso and Manon Fiorot during her second run as the women's 125-pound division champ.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern will fight Virna Jandiroba in a rematch for the vacant 115-pound division belt at UFC 321 on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi. Dern has won back-to-back fights, including earning a third-round submission over Amanda Ribas in January.
Jandiroba has dispatched the competiton on her way to becoming the No. 1 contender in the strawweight division. The Brazilian will fight for the vacant title after stringing together a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Lupita Godinez, Amanda Lemos, and Xiaonan Yan.
Former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-5) will also fight top-10 contender Carlos Prates (22-7) on the UFC 322 card.