UFC 322 promises to be a memorable event, with all the ingredients to be considered the best card of the year. Madison Square Garden in New York will be the setting for this spectacle on Saturday, with high-caliber fights that promise strong emotions. The main event features two matchups anticipated to be the most prominent of the UFC’s 2025 calendar. In the co-main event, the UFC’s number 1 and 2 ranked female pound-for-pound fighters will face off. Former strawweight champion Zhang Weili will move up to the flyweight division to challenge Valentina Shevchenko. In the main event, Jack Della Maddalena will seek to defend his welterweight title against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena, ranked number 8 in the men’s P4P ranking, will face Makhachev, who is in second place. Makhachev vacated his lightweight title for this matchup. Here’s an analysis of the predictions from Alofoke Deportes analysts and commentators, along with the key bets for this event.
Welterweight Title Fight Analysis
The size difference in favor of Della Maddalena, along with the training of his coaches and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, could be a decisive factor. Makhachev could have difficulty keeping him on the ground for long. As the fight progresses, Della Maddalena could find effective counterattacks against Makhachev’s striking, and could even knock him out in the final rounds.I must acknowledge the work of Della Maddalena’s coach, Craig Jones. The strategies and tactics he has developed will be seen in this fight. Della Maddalena has better striking than most of the opponents Makhachev has faced, and will succeed in the stand-up game. The longer the fight lasts, the worse Makhachev will look. It could get ugly.
Din Thomas
Makhachev to win (-275); Over 1.5 rounds (-375). This is a striker versus grappler matchup, but Makhachev has exceptional striking, which makes his grappling even more dangerous. Makhachev will seek to close the distance with his striking to take the fight to the ground and will try to keep Della Maddalena there. If he succeeds, he will take away effectiveness from Della Maddalena’s striking. To reduce Makhachev’s price, combine his money line with over 1.5 rounds.
Ian Parker
Analysis of the Women’s Flyweight Title Fight
Zhang could be the toughest test for Shevchenko, but Shevchenko’s grappling could be the deciding factor. Historically, the toughest matchups for Zhang have been against fighters who can control distance. Shevchenko has the intelligence, timing, and physical strength to do so.It’s difficult to predict Zhang finishing Shevchenko, but she will be one step ahead the whole time. Shevchenko is a good counter-attacker, but Zhang’s pressure will make it difficult for her to succeed. Zhang will pressure her, wear her down, and win every round convincingly. Shevchenko has achieved everything, and it’s difficult to stay motivated for these types of fights.
Din Thomas
Zhang to win (+110). Although she is not the favorite in the betting, I bet on Zhang. She can match Shevchenko in all aspects of the fight and even has the advantage in wrestling and ground game. We saw Zhang outwrestle Tatiana Suarez, one of the best wrestlers on the UFC roster. I trust that she can take Shevchenko down and keep her there.
Ian Parker
Parker’s Best Bets for the Rest of the Card
Welterweight: Sean Brady vs. Michael MoralesWelterweight: Leon Edwards vs. Carlos PratesMorales to win (+115). This fight will be the ultimate test for Morales. After defeating Gilbert Burns at a UFC Fight Night in May, Morales faces a big jump in competition. A win here could put him in the title conversation, but to achieve it, he must stop Brady’s takedowns. Standing, Morales has the reach, the power advantage, and the wrestling to stop Brady’s attempts to take the fight to the ground. Brady is not an easy opponent and, after his dominant victory over Leon Edwards at a UFC Fight Night in March, Morales has a lot of work ahead of him. However, Morales’ takedown defense and reach will be enough to get it done. Bet on the prospect as the underdog.
Ian Parker
Prates to win (-185). Prates’ money line could be my favorite bet of the night. I don’t see how Edwards can win here. Prates’ pace and pressure will be too much for Edwards. Edwards is known for starting slow, and against Prates in a three-round fight, that’s a recipe for disaster. Unless Edwards knocks out Prates, he will be outstruck and possibly taken down.
Ian Parker
