Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev prediction, odds, pick for UFC 322

UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev continues with the championship major event fight between the welterweight champion Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev on Saturday. Check out our UFC odds series for our Della Maddalena-Makhachev prediction and pick.

Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) enters UFC 322 because the reigning welterweight champion, with wins in his last six UFC fights and riding an 18-fight winning streak. Recently, he outpointed Belal Muhammad to say the title, following a third-round KO of Gilbert Burns for Performance of the Night. Maddalena looks so as to add one other elite name and defend his title as he comes into his fight this weekend against Islam Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev (27-1) enters UFC 322 coming off back-to-back submission victories over Renato Moicano and Dustin Poirier, defending his lightweight title 4 times before relinquishing it, in search of recent gold. The lightweight king has his eyes set on becoming a two-division champion at welterweight as he comes into his fight this weekend against Jack Della Maddalena.

Listed here are the UFC 322 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC 322 odds: Jack Della Maddalena-Islam Makhachev odds

Jack Della Maddalena: +230

Islam Makhachev: -285

Over 3.5 rounds: -130

Under 3.5 rounds: +105

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Why Jack Della Maddalena will win

• Last Fight: (W) Belal Muhammad – DEC
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 14 (12 KO/TKO/2 SUB)

Jack Della Maddalena’s path to victory over Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 relies on his slick boxing, heavy body work, and relentless pressure. Maddalena’s jab and combos disrupt rhythm, making it dangerous for grapplers to shut distance and shoot without taking damage.​

His ability to fight behind a good guard, slip punches, and punish entries with counters poses problems for Makhachev, who excels at dominating on the mat. Maddalena’s strong takedown defense and training with elite grapplers have helped him avoid getting held down and scramble back to his feet against high-level competition.​

If Maddalena can survive the early wrestling and force Makhachev into striking exchanges, his power and accuracy grow more dangerous every round. The Australian champion has shown he can fight through adversity, rally late, and switch wrestling-heavy battles into damage races using angles and pace.​​

Expect Maddalena to maintain the fight standing, wear down Makhachev with body shots, and break his confidence with superior striking. If he thwarts the Dagestani’s positional control, Maddalena has every tool to tug off an announcement win at UFC 322 this Saturday.​

Why Islam Makhachev will win

• Last Fight: (W) Renato Moicano – SUB R1
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 18 (5 KO/TKO/13 SUB)

Islam Makhachev has the tools to win the UFC 322 major event because of his suffocating grappling, elite fight IQ, and relentless control. With a 27-1 record and up to date wins against top contenders, Makhachev’s transitions from striking to takedowns are seamless, forcing opponents into uncomfortable spots round after round.​

Makhachev excels at denying space, continuously pressing forward and timing his entries for clinches and takedowns. Once on the mat, his positional dominance and talent to secure submissions have stifled even world-class grapplers, which could neutralize Maddalena’s sharp boxing if the Australian can’t maintain distance.​

The Dagestani champion’s cardio and consistency make him difficult to determine. If Maddalena starts fast, Makhachev’s patience and strategy mean he rarely rushes, often finding ways to tire opponents and capitalize late.​

Expect Makhachev to drive Maddalena to the fence, mix in strikes, and work for takedowns repeatedly, taking the sting out of his punches and draining his gas tank. With these skills, Makhachev is favored to interrupt Maddalena’s rhythm and secure one other championship win this Saturday at UFC 322.​

Final Jack Della Maddalena-Islam Makhachev prediction & pick

The major event at UFC 322 sees Islam Makhachev entering as a transparent betting favorite, because of his world-class grappling, cardio, and the arrogance of a 27-1 record. Maddalena, nonetheless, is the reigning welterweight champion with explosive boxing, defensive durability, and 14 finishes in eighteen profession wins.​

Expect Makhachev to set the tone early, pressing Maddalena to the fence and hunting his trademark takedowns. If Makhachev places the fight on the mat, his submission skills and talent to regulate position may very well be the deciding factor, with many projecting him to either secure a late finish or dominate on the scorecards.​

Yet, Maddalena has made significant strides along with his takedown defense and has demonstrated that he could make wrestlers pay in the event that they shoot from distance. His best shot at victory lies in keeping the fight standing, using his jab and footwork to make Makhachev work for every position until late fatigue sets in.​

Ultimately, Makhachev’s elite wrestling and submission acumen should tip the scales. Expect a high-level contest, however the Dagestani is favored to secure a fourth-round submission or a large decision and develop into a two-division champion at UFC 322.​

Final Jack Della Maddalena-Islam Makhachev Prediction & Pick: Islam Makhachev (-285), Over 3.5 Rounds (-130)