Islam Makhachev’s Big Leap: Why UFC 322 Marks a New Chapter
When Islam Makhachev steps into the Octagon at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, it will be more than just another title fight. It will mark the next phase of a career that has already been stellar – but now faces a fresh test.
A Fresh Objective: Welterweight Glory
Makhachev has already reigned supreme at lightweight, defending his title multiple times and compiling a win streak that few in MMA can match. Now, he’s moving up to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt, turning the page on his chapter as a lightweight and setting his sights on a broader legacy.
This transition isn’t just about lifting more weights or cutting less; it signals a strategic shift. Makhachev revealed that the grind of cutting down to lightweight left him feeling only 60–70% when fight night rolled around. By moving up, he expects better recovery, more durability, and a chance to showcase his full arsenal without weight cuts holding him back.
“Same Talent, New Energy”
The tagline around this fight describes exactly what’s happening: same talent, new energy. Makhachev still brings the grappling dominance, sambo roots, and Dagestani wrestling tradition. But now there’s added strength, new physicality, and a desire to prove that he can excel beyond the division he once ruled.
Training reports highlight a body transformation, larger sparring partners, and a renewed focus on endurance in later rounds. In other words, he’s earning the “new energy” part of the equation.
And for his opponent, Della Maddalena, this is the biggest career moment to date. The champion is confident standing, believes he can surprise the grappling game, and knows he’s under the biggest spotlight of his life. The stage is perfect.
Legacy Is on the Line
For Makhachev, winning at welterweight would not only add another title but also greatly enhance his place in MMA history. Already lauded as perhaps the greatest lightweight ever, the question now becomes whether he can translate that dominance into a second weight class. This feat elevates fighters beyond elite into legend.
But it won’t be easy. The welterweight division features bigger, stronger athletes and a deeper field. Makhachev will have to adjust his game, still impose his grappling, but also handle power, speed, and a new range of variables. His team isn’t treating this as business as usual.
What to Watch on Fight Night
There are key clues that will determine which version of Makhachev shows up:
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Pace & endurance: With fewer weight-cut sacrifices, will he look fresher in rounds 3-5?
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Striking evolution: Historically a dominant grappler, will his stand-up game display more polish?
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Grappling control: Can he take Della Maddalena down, sustain top position, and finish the fight? The plan laid out by his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is clear.
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Adaptation: Against a champion who believes he can surprise on the feet, will Makhachev make the right adjustments?
Bigger Picture: Sport, Region, Impact
This fight also carries significance beyond a single athlete. Fighters from Dagestan, like Makhachev, have become a dominant force in MMA, showcasing wrestling and sambo-based styles that challenge conventional norms. Makhachev’s success isn’t just personal — it’s emblematic of a regional wave of fighters redefining the sport.
Likewise, UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden is more than just a big venue. It’s symbolic: the global stage for a fighter stepping up division, proving his mettle on one of the biggest platforms in combat sports.
Final Take
Islam Makhachev’s move isn’t simply about going heavier or chasing a belt. It’s about evolution. It’s about legacy. It’s about showing that what he built at 155 lbs wasn’t a limit — it was a foundation. If he succeeds at welterweight, the narrative around him shifts from elite champion to generational force. If he struggles, the question of “could he adapt?” will linger.
