Headlining the big card is a welterweight title fight between new champion, Jack Della Maddalena and former lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. The fight is fascinating as Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad as an underdog last time out and Makhachev is the man moving up in weight after relinquishing his 155-pound title.
The champion’s coach believes the main event of UFC 322 will be easier for his man than his first title fight. Makhachev is understandably confident in himself.
We use AI to… UFC322 main event, giving us a little insight into how the fight could play out. Of course, battles aren’t fought on the internet, so anything can happen!
AI predicts the UFC 322 Main Event
Pre-fight stories
The champion will want to keep this one afloat, leaning on his impressive takedown defense and slick boxing. His best route to victory will be to stay upright. His size should help him keep the fight going, but he does take damage (absorbing 4.53 punches per minute), something that could haunt him in the UFC 322 main event.
Makhachev is extremely well rounded, has power and uses that power to take the fight to the ground and drown opponents on the ground. There are questions about how he will view the welterweight, although as a professional we know he will leave no stone unturned on his path to victory.
Round 1
Ai suggests that the main event of UFC 322 will start with Della Maddalena starting out aggressively, looking to hit the ground running and find his range early. He will frequently switch stances and show Makhachev the uppercut to keep his opponent’s wrestling at bay.
Makhachev will try to go high with his kicks in the first five minutes to find out if JDM will defend with a high guard, opening his hips for a possible takedown. If the champion approaches this fight like he did against Mohammed, with a much lower stance, it could open him up even more to the high kick.
Makhachev will have success closing the distance and getting the fight to the clinch to test JDM’s strength 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 continues wrestling in the second round. Makhachev will look to close the distance early and put the champion on the ground this time, rather than just pin him down.
Although he keeps the champion on the ground, Della Maddalena will use the cage to get back to his feet and create distance. The Perth native stays flexible on his feet and uses lateral movements to avoid getting stuck against the fence. Sometimes, though, he holds his feet and lands big shots. While working on the body, the champion starts working on the gas tank of the smaller man coming up.
Depending on how long Makhachev can keep JDM on the ground, this round will be decisive. The suggestion is that the weather is leaning towards the champion.
2-0 Maddalena.
Round 3
This round is make or break. If JDM can continue his good work, he will have a three lap lead and all he has to do is survive. Makhachev needs to win this round to swing the momentum in his favor.
JDM’s output will decrease slightly in this round as he begins to absorb more shots. He is caught more often by Makhachev, who this round chooses to stand for longer periods. JDM’s ability to absorb damage could come back to haunt him as he could get into a firefight and get taken down. Makhachev lands the takedown and begins to control the round, landing big ground and pound.
Round three for the challenger, Makhachev.
Round 4
Round four starts frantically. JDM knows he just took a lot of control in the previous round, took damage from the bottom position and needs to get the judges back on his side. The champion begins to gamble, striking aggressively, increasing the risk of being taken down, and that is exactly what happens.
There is little action on the ground in this round as both men are tired now. After working with Craig Jones, JDM threatens submissions, but to no avail.
Makhachev wins the fourth round, although he is far from a contender for round of the year.
Round 5
The final round of the UFC 322 main event. Both men are tired and wear the fight on their faces. Both men are urgent, as it is 2-2 heading into the fifth.
Makhachev knows that if he grounds JDM, the belt is his. Likewise, the Australian needs to keep it going to have a chance.
The champion starts this round more cautiously, using the jab and low kicks in an attempt to keep the Russian away. If he were to change position, JDM could try to use Makhachev for a big attack, but the Russian is too smart for this.
Makhachev lands a takedown, but in his tired state he is unable to control his opponent, allowing JDM to get back to his feet quickly. As the round fades, Makhachev starts landing on the champion more often, causing him to bleed.
Of course, the Australian doesn’t give up on himself and the last minute is a bit of rock-em-sock-em between the two, who want to leave everything behind in this iconic arena.
Makhachev lands the bigger shots and takes this one.
The outcome
The oddsmakers were right. Ai has predicted that Islam Makhachev will emerge victorious in the main event of UFC 322, earning the nod via unanimous decision.
It won’t be easy, we will probably win 48-47 on all scorecards.
Whatever happens in the UFC 322 main event, we can guarantee it will be interesting!
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