UFC 322 Features Title Fights With Champions Seeking Second Belts

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2025 — VeChain UFC 322, held at Madison Square Garden, will mark a historic evening with two title fights featuring former champions aiming for second belts in new weight divisions.

Islam Makhachev will defend his welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena, while Zhang Weili will face Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title. Both Makhachev and Zhang have vacated their previous titles to challenge for gold in a higher weight class, a growing trend in UFC.

Makhachev, currently on a 15-fight win streak, is looking to tie the record for the most consecutive wins held by Anderson Silva. He holds the record for most lightweight title fight victories at five, including wins over notable fighters like Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. This weekend, Makhachev aims to cement his legacy against Della Maddalena, who captured the welterweight title by defeating Belal Muhammad earlier this year.

“I feel like I’m the underdog going into this fight,” Della Maddalena said. “But I embrace that; I embrace the underdog role. I’ve got to prove I’m the best in the world.”

Zhang Weili, a dominant champion at strawweight, previously held her title for multiple defenses before vacating it earlier this year. After winning back the strawweight belt at UFC 281, she faced a major challenge when she decided to move up a class.

These matchups not only represent high stakes for all fighters involved but also highlight the changing dynamics of champion titles in UFC. With the event set to begin with prelims at 6 p.m. ET, fans can expect an electrifying night of fights as these competitors put everything on the line.