UFC 322: A Detailed Analysis of a Night of Mixed Emotions
UFC 322, packed with exciting fights and two title disputes, featured great figures seeking to consolidate their historical legacies. Islam Makhachev and Valentina Shevchenko, in the main and co-main events respectively, delivered almost perfect performances, albeit lacking in drama. However, the main card of UFC 322 compensated with a series of devastating knockouts, courtesy of Benoît Saint Denis, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales. Bo Nickal and Erin Blanchfield also demonstrated why they are considered title contenders in the future.Was it enough to meet the expectations that preceded the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden? Below, an analysis of the quality of each fight and the card in general, based on the skills displayed, the competitiveness, and what was at stake.
Beneil Dariush vs. Benoît Saint Denis
Result: Saint Denis defeats Dariush by KO in the first round. Rating: A
The knockout came quickly. Saint Denis needed only one punch and 16 seconds to knock out Dariush. Dariush connected with a calf kick, and Saint Denis responded with a left hook behind the ear that left Dariush unconscious. The losing streak of two defeats that Saint Denis had in 2024 is now a thing of the past. The “God of War” has returned.Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
Result: Prates defeats Edwards by KO in the second round. Rating: A Prates sought to exchange blows with Edwards, while “Rocky” wanted the clinch, perhaps knowing what was coming. After a first round in which Edwards used his wrestling to take Prates down, the Brazilian began to talk to the former champion to keep the fight standing. Edwards accepted in the second round and received a devastating left hook that knocked him down. Prates became the first fighter to knock out Edwards in his 15-year MMA career, an impressive reminder that Prates is one of the five most exciting fighters to watch in the UFC.Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
Result: Morales defeats Brady by TKO in the first round. Rating: A
As good as Brady may have been, Morales surpassed him with a violent finish in the first round. Morales used his size to make it difficult for Brady to close the distance, and then proceeded to destroy him once he was in striking range. Brady was shaken early by a combination, and Morales smelled blood. The Ecuadorian stalked his prey, unleashed a series of vicious punches that sunk Brady, and secured another finish for the undefeated 26-year-old. Unlike Brady’s knockout loss in 2022 to Belal Muhammad, this was a one-sided beatdown that will put Morales on the list of title contenders.Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Result: Daukaus defeats Meerschaert by submission. Rating: B+ Daukaus added insult to injury in an absolutely dominant performance by knocking down Meerschaert and then submitting the submission specialist, all in under a minute. It’s hard to believe Daukaus is the same guy who was released from the UFC in 2022. But since his return, he has achieved first-minute finishes in both of his fights. It was impressive how badly Daukaus beat and submitted a veteran.Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Ethyn Ewing
Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
Result: Blanchfield defeats Cortez by submission. Rating: B During the first five minutes, Blanchfield experimented with her strikes against Cortez, seemed a bit disoriented and resorted to her strong point: her brilliant ground game. It allowed her to avenge the first defeat of her career against Cortez in 2019, and served as a reminder of why she is championship material. The finish was exceptional, with Blanchfield not entirely on Cortez’s back, but making her way and provoking the tap.Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
Result: Nickal defeats Vieira by KO in the third round. Rating: B For two and a half rounds, Nickal was ahead, comfortably using his solid, but not necessarily spectacular, strikes. Then, out of nowhere, Nickal woke everyone up with a brutal head kick that knocked out Vieira. Like Baisangur Susurkaev’s previous fight on the night, it may be an effort to get to the end, but the ending is certainly worth rewatching.Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
Result: Shevchenko defeats Zhang by unanimous decision. Rating: C+ This was a masterclass from Shevchenko, who used her size, distance control, body work, and grip to stifle any impulse Zhang tried to gain. Unfortunately, masterclasses don’t necessarily lead to exciting fights. Zhang was too small for the highly skilled Shevchenko, and spent long periods of the fight trapped on the canvas. When the fight was standing, Shevchenko tore Zhang apart with punches and kicks. As big as Zhang is, there are weight categories for a reason, and this was a perfect example of that. It lacked excitement, but if you want to witness greatness in action, watch how Shevchenko completely nullifies another all-time great.Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Result: Makhachev defeats Della Maddalena by unanimous decision. Rating: C+ Makhachev’s dominant victory over Della Maddalena was eerily similar to Shevchenko’s victory against Zhang, being a grappling-focused masterclass that completely silenced the opponent. The only difference was that Makhachev was the smaller fighter who moved up in weight to take the title, while Shevchenko defended her dominance. And like Shevchenko’s victory, it was Makhachev’s greatness in action in a one-sided domination. There’s no reason to go out of your way to watch this if you’re looking for an exciting championship fight. But it was a historic performance from the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Result: Rodrigues defeats Kopylov by unanimous decision. Rating: C This was a fight where you knew someone would be knocked out, considering the finishing prowess that both Kopylov and Rodrigues possess. Instead, it was a striking battle where “Robocop” stalked Kopylov, hitting him all over the Octagon to get his fifth win in his last six fights. We didn’t get the knockout we wanted, and that’s okay. But it wasn’t the exciting shootout either.Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico
Result: Susurkaev defeats McConico by TKO3. Rating: C
Susurkaev was clearly the more skilled fighter, but he fought in such a casual and relaxed manner that one might think this was more competitive than the betting line suggested. After long periods of cage clinching with occasional bursts of strikes, Susurkaev had enough and finished McConico with a beautiful short right hand. The punch sent McConico crashing face-first to the canvas and gave Susurkaev an emphatic victory. Unfortunately, it was a bit slow getting there.Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline
Result: Kline defeats Hill by unanimous decision. Rating: C This was Kline’s most complete performance against an experienced veteran like Hill. Kline was diverse in her offensive approach, mixing takedowns with strikes. Hill is rarely dominated on the feet, but she couldn’t catch Kline’s speed. There were some highlight moments, including Hill somehow absorbing a brutal head kick late in the fight. But this was all about Kline and could serve as a warning shot to a strawweight division that is now wide open with Zhang’s move to flyweight.Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal
Don’t try to judge the winner by the amount of blood shed by Sabatini. Instead, take a look at his impressive ground game, for which Mariscal had no answer. It wasn’t dazzling or impressive enough to suggest replays, but it was a solid showing from Sabatini, who could soon find his way into the featherweight rankings.
