Two Stellar Super Fights to Headline Annual UFC Event in New York
Two high-caliber fights will star in the UFC’s annual pay-per-view event in New York.
The former lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, will seek to conquer a second title by facing the current welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden. This was announced by UFC CEO Dana White.
In the co-main event, former strawweight champion Zhang Weili will move up to flyweight to challenge Valentina Shevchenko.
Makhachev, with a record of 27-1, vacated the 155-pound title earlier this year anticipating his move up to welterweight. Zhang (26-3) also vacated her 115-pound championship to compete at 125 pounds.
Makhachev defended his lightweight title four times before announcing his transition to welterweight. He will attempt to achieve what his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, never accomplished in his outstanding career: to become a two-division champion.
Della Maddalena (18-2), from Perth, Australia, hasn’t suffered defeats since the first two of his professional career in 2016. He obtained the UFC title after defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in May.
Zhang is coming off a title defense against Tatiana Suarez in February. Shevchenko is the most dominant figure in UFC flyweight history. The 37-year-old fighter is a two-time champion with eight title defenses across two reigns.
White also announced a welterweight fight on the main card between former champion Leon Edwards (22-5) and the promising Brazilian contender Carlos Prates (22-7).
