The main event at UFC 322 was a massive fight (Makhachev). The lightweight champion, Islam , moved up a weight class. He fought the welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena. This kind of fight is very rare.
The result was a total win for Islam. He dominated the champion for five full rounds. He won by unanimous decision. This means he won every minute of the fight. This victory made Islam a two-division champion. This is a historic moment in the UFC.
This article will break down the fight. It will explain the key reason why Islam‘s victory was so complete. It was a masterclass in wrestling dominance.
The Tactical Plan of Attack Makhachev
Before the fight, many people wondered if Islam was too small. He was moving up a weight class. Jack Della Maddalena was bigger and known for his sharp boxing skills.
But Islam‘s plan was simple. He said after the fight, “This was my plan. It was not a secret. All my opponents know this, and nobody can stop [me].”
1. The Power of the Takedown
The fight was won on the ground. Islam used his wrestling skills perfectly.
- Timing: His takedowns were timed perfectly. He did not wait for his opponent to get comfortable. He shot in for the legs very early in every round.
- Control: OnceIslam got Della Maddalena to the mat, the champion had no answer. Makhachev is one of the best in the world at keeping people on the ground. This is called ground control dominance.
- Total Time: Della Maddalena spent over 18 minutes of the 25-minute fight on the mat. He was pinned down and unable to stand up.
The first key takeaway is simple: Makhachev’s wrestling was too strong.
2. Striking Neutralization Makhachev
Della Maddalena is known for his fast, powerful boxing. But Makhachev stopped the striking threat completely.
- Targeting the Leg: Even when they were standing, Makhachev used smart tactics. He threw hard, low kicks to the champion’s right leg. This hurt the leg. This slowed down Della Maddalena’s movement and made his punches less powerful.
- The Clinch: Whenever Della Maddalena tried to throw punches, Makhachev moved close. He grabbed him and held him. This stopped the boxing attack. Then, he used the clinch to get another takedown.
Makhachev showed that he can win standing up and on the ground.
The Meaning of the Victory
The victory at UFC 322 was historic for two main reasons.
1. Two-Division Champion
Islam Makhachev is now the two-division champion.
- Vacating the Lightweight Title: He was the champion at lightweight (155 pounds). He gave up that belt to move up and fight for the welterweight belt (170 pounds).
- Joining the Elite: He is now only the 11th fighter in UFC history to hold belts in two different weight classes. This is a rare and huge honor.
2. Tying the UFC Winning Streak Record Makhachev
Makhachev’s victory tied a massive UFC record.
- The Record: He tied the record for the most consecutive victories inside the Octagon. The record is 16 wins in a row. He tied the record held by the legend, Anderson Silva.
- Dominance: This UFC winning streak shows that Makhachev has been completely dominant for many years. He has not lost a fight since 2015.
The combination of winning two belts and tying the win streak record puts Makhachev in the discussion for being the greatest fighter of all time.
Ground Control Dominance
The main event at UFC 322 was a complete masterclass in wrestling dominance by Islam Makhachev. The 50-45 score showed that Jack Della Maddalena’s defeat was total. He could not stop the takedowns or the ground control dominance.
Makhachev’s victory made him a historic two-division champion. He tied the UFC winning streak record. The champion is now looking to rule the entire welterweight division. Della Maddalena must now work very hard on his wrestling if he wants a rematch
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