UFC 322 has two fights for the second belt and the Brazilian is in for a great duel

It’s time for one of the most anticipated MMA events of 2025. In the fight against the welterweight champion (up to 77.6 kg), Jacques Della Maddalena, Islam Makhachev will make his debut in this category already in the fight for the title. UFC 322 will be held on Saturday (11/15) and its stage will be Madison Square Garden in New York.

The person who will also have the same experience is Zhang Weili. The Chinese will make her debut in the flyweight division (up to 56.7kg) against champion Valentina Shevchenko, in tonight’s co-main event. Brazil is present in the central duels, with Carlos Prats in contention against Leon Edwards.

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Zhang Weili was the strawweight champion

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Jack Della Maddalena is the welterweight champion

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Shevchenko will defend the belt against Zhang

Makhachev relinquished his lightweight title to attempt another challenge. The Russian wants to win the second belt in his career and he can do it in his first fight in the new category. Even though he is a rookie, his record could give him an advantage.

The former 71kg champion has 27 UFC wins and only one loss. But the opposing team is not much different, and the task will not be easy. The owner of the welterweight belt, Jack Della Maddalena, has only lost twice in competition, while actually winning on 18 occasions.

Zhang x Shevchenko

The main fight is another factor that makes the event even more impressive. Two of the greatest fighters in UFC history will finally face each other. Zhang Weili will make her flyweight debut against champion Valentina Shevchenko.

The Kyrgyz athlete is synonymous with dominance in this category. Shevchenko held the belt undefeated for five years, between 2018 and 2023. Despite his stumble against Alexa Grasso, he regained the title in a rematch in 2024. The veteran still maintains his record of 25 victories against only four defeats.

But someone may finally have arrived to put an end to Shevchenko’s reign. The feeling of victory is familiar to Zhang. The Chinese was the strawweight champion, but decided to leave the title behind. Thanks to that, this great duel would be possible. Her numbers are also impressive: 26 wins and three losses.

Brazil is on the main card

Among the main fights of the night, Brazil will be well represented. Carlos Prats will face Leon Edwards. The Sao Paulo native is one of the most sought-after Brazilian names at the moment, especially after his win at UFC 319.

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Pratts defeated Jeff Neal in his last fight

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Leon Edwards

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Prats’ charisma has won over Brazilian fans. Inside the cage, he has a noticeable height, but that may be the true test for the pesadillo, as he is called. He is ranked ninth in the welterweight division and will face the No. 4 seed.

Edwards is a strong name in this category, having won on 22 occasions, while losing on only five occasions. But the Brazilian has the same number of victories, and differs only in defeats, with two more wins than the Englishman.