‘Total letdown’: Ilia Topuria and fellow fighters slam Jack Della Maddalena's showing in defeat to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322
- UFC (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc)
The MMA community was left shaking their heads at the lackluster main event of UFC 322—fighters just couldn't hide their frustration.
November 16, 2025, 6:30 AM UTC
Imagine stepping into the octagon against one of the most unstoppable forces in MMA, only to look completely outmatched from the first bell. That's exactly what happened to Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev, leaving the Aussie fighter utterly deflated and the entire MMA world pondering: Is there truly anyone out there who can halt Makhachev's reign?
In a display of sheer dominance, the ex-lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev captured the welterweight belt, adding another shining chapter to his already legendary career. He secured a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Della Maddalena (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/456729/islam-makhachev-dominates-jack-della-maddalena-from-start-to-finish-to-win-title-in-ufc-322-main-event) during the headline bout of UFC 322, which went down this past Saturday at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. For those new to MMA, Makhachev's wrestling skills—think powerful takedowns and ground control that keep opponents pinned and helpless—are like a well-oiled machine, and boy, did he put them to work here. He repeatedly took Della Maddalena down to the mat, dictating the pace and smothering him for most of those grueling five rounds. By the time the judges' scores were read, it was crystal clear: Makhachev had ascended to the elite club of UFC fighters who've claimed titles in two weight classes, a feat that's as rare as it is impressive, joining legends like Conor McGregor and Randy Couture.
But here's where it gets even more intriguing—Makhachev's now on a jaw-dropping 16-fight winning streak, matching the UFC record set by the iconic Anderson Silva, known for his surgical precision and flair in the middleweight division. He didn't just stumble into this welterweight opportunity; it came after he defended his lightweight crown a record-breaking four times, proving his consistency at 155 pounds before testing the waters at 170. For beginners, weight classes in UFC are like divisions in boxing—they ensure fair fights based on size, and moving up can be a huge risk, but Makhachev made it look effortless.
As phenomenal as Makhachev's performance was, it casts a harsh spotlight on Della Maddalena's underwhelming effort, which turned what should have been an epic clash into a one-man show. Fans and fighters alike were buzzing with disappointment over the welterweight contender's inability to mount any real offense or defense, making the whole event feel like a missed opportunity for fireworks.
And this is the part most people miss: While Makhachev's dominance is undisputed, some are whispering that Della Maddalena might've been overhyped—could his reputation as a knockout artist have set expectations too high? It's a controversial take, especially since he's got real skills, but nights like this make you wonder if the pressure got to him or if welterweight's a tougher pond for him to swim in.
Dive into the reactions from top pros on social media right here—they didn't hold back.
Loading comments
Sparking the discussion...
What do you think—did Della Maddalena stand a chance, or was this a classic case of Makhachev being on another level? Is his two-division status the start of an unbeatable legacy, or will someone finally crack that code? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree that Della's performance was a total flop or if there's more to the story. Let's debate!
