Islam Makhachev cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of his era after defeating Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday night at UFC 322 to become a two-division UFC champion. The Russian star, who moved up from lightweight to welterweight for the highly anticipated bout at Madison Square Garden, delivered a dominant five-round performance to claim a unanimous decision victory and the welterweight title. From the opening bell, Makhachev imposed his trademark grappling pressure, dragging the Australian into deep waters with relentless takedowns, suffocating control and clinical ground work. Della Maddalena, known for his sharp striking and finishing ability, struggled to find any rhythm and appeared increasingly frustrated as the fight wore on. Makhachev’s seamless jump in weight silenced critics who questioned whether his style would hold up against naturally larger opponents. A Historic Achievement The victory makes Makhachev the latest fighter to join the UFC’s exclusive list of double champions — athletes who have held titles in two weight classes simultaneously. As he climbed atop the octagon and raised both belts, the feat underscored a career built on discipline, precision and a world-class grappling base sharpened under the mentorship of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite a few brief moments when Della Maddalena appeared poised to turn the tide, the Australian was unable to capitalise on openings, with Makhachev’s timing, pressure and takedown volume proving insurmountable. Welterweight Landscape Shaken The win not only elevates Makhachev’s status but also sends a warning to the top contenders in both the lightweight (155 lbs) and welterweight (170 lbs) divisions. The welterweight division itself saw major upheaval on the UFC 322 main card. Former champion Leon Edwards suffered a brutal knockout loss to Carlos Prates, while Michael Morales delivered a similar finish to Sean Brady, adding new intrigue to the title race Makhachev now leads. A Legacy-Defining Moment Saturday’s victory stands as the most significant milestone of Makhachev’s career, validating his move up in weight and reinforcing his reputation as one of the sport’s most dominant and technically complete fighters. With two belts now in his possession and momentum firmly on his side, the Dagestani champion has positioned himself at the centre of two divisions — and sent a clear message that he is far from finished rewriting UFC history.
Islam Makhachev becomes two-division UFC champion after dominant win at UFC 322
