The UFC 322 main event goes down this weekend in New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden for their annual trip to The Big Apple.
Headlining the huge card is a welterweight title bout between the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena and the former lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. The fight is fascinating as Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad as the underdog last time out and Makhachev is the man moving up in weight after relinquishing his 155lbs title.
The champion’s coach believes that the UFC 322 main event is going to be easier for his man than his first title bout. Makhachev is understandably confident in himself.
We use AI to predict the UFC 322 main event, giving us a slight insight into how the fight may go. Of course, fights aren’t fought on the internet however, so anything can happen!
AI Predicts the UFC 322 Main Event
Pre-Fight Narratives
The champion is going to want to keep this one standing, leaning on his impressive takedown defence and slick boxing, his best route to victory will be to stay upright. His size should help him to keep the fight standing, but he does take damage (absorbing 4.53 strikes per minute), something that could haunt him in the UFC 322 main event.
Makhachev is extremely well rounded, holds power and uses that power to work the fight to the ground and drown opponents on the floor. There are questions as to how he’ll look at welterweight, although as a professional, we know that he will leave no stone unturned on his path to victory.
Round 1
Ai suggests that the UFC 322 main event will begin with Della Maddalena starting aggressively, looking to work his jab straight away and find his range early. He’ll regularly switch stances and show Makhachev the uppercut in order to keep his opponent’s wrestling at bay.
Makhachev will look to go high with his kicks in the opening five minutes to work out if JDM will defend with a high guard, opening up his hips to a potential takedown. If the champion approaches this fight like he did against Muhammad, with a much lower stance, it could open him up to the high kick even more.
Makhachev will have success in closing the distance and getting the fight to the clinch to test the strength of JDM in that position, but won’t do enough to win the round.
Round one to Della Maddalena.
Round 2
After success in the opening round, the challenger will go to the wrestling more in the second round. Makhachev will look to close the distance early and ground the champion this time, instead of just clinching him.
Although he’ll ground the champion, Della Maddalena will use the cage to work back to his feet and will manage to create distance. Staying fluid on the feet, the Perth native will use lateral movement to avoid getting trapped against the fence, however, at times, he will hold his feet and land big shots. Working the body, the champion begins to work at the gas tank of the smaller man coming up.
Depending on how long Makhachev can hold JDM on the ground will determine this round. The suggestion is that it leans towards the champion again.
2-0 Maddalena.
Round 3
This round is make or break. If JDM can continue his good work, he’ll be three rounds ahead and just needs to survive. Makhachev must win this round to swing the momentum in his favour.
JDM’s output will reduce slightly in this round as he begins to absorb more shots. He’s caught more often by Makhachev, who chooses to stand for longer periods this round. JDM’s ability to absorb damage could come back to haunt him as he could get into a firefight and be taken down. Makhachev lands the takedown and begins to control the round, landing big ground and pound.
Round three to the challenger, Makhachev.
Round 4
Round four begins frantically. JDM knows that he’s just been controlled for a large period of the previous round, taken damage from bottom position and has to get the judges back on his side. The champ begins to gamble, striking aggressively, increasing the risk of being taken down, which is exactly what happens.
There is little action on the ground in this round as both men are now tired. After working with Craig Jones, JDM threatens submissions off his back, to no avail.
Makhachev wins round four, although it’s far from a round of the year contender.
Round 5
The final round of the UFC 322 main event. Both men are fatigued and wearing the fight on their faces. Both men are urgent as it’s 2-2 heading into the fifth.
Makhachev knows that if he grounds JDM, the belt is his. Likewise, the Aussie must keep it standing to have a chance.
The champion begins more cautiously in this round, pumping out the jab and low kicks to try and keep the Russian away. Switching stance, JDM could look to get the angle on Makhachev for a big strike, the Russian is too smart for this, however.
Makhachev lands a takedown but in his fatigued state, is unable to control his opponent, allowing JDM back to his feet quickly. As the round fades away, Makhachev begins to land with more frequency on the champion, bloodying him.
Of course the Aussie doesn’t give up on himself and the final minute is somewhat rock-em-sock-em between the two, looking to leave it all out there in this iconic arena.
Landing the bigger shots, Makhachev takes this one.
The Outcome
The odds-makers were right. Ai has predicted that Islam Makhachev will be victorious in the UFC 322 main event, getting the nod via unanimous decision.
It won’t be easy, likely winning 48-47 on all scorecards.
Whatever happens in the UFC 322 main event, we can guarantee it will be interesting!
