UFC 322 will take centre stage at Madison Square Garden in New York this weekend. In the main event, Aussie Jack Della Maddalena will attempt to defend his Welterweight title for the first time against one of the UFC’s most feared champions, Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is not the only one to move up in a bid to secure another title, as in the co-main, Weili Zhang will attempt to do the same, moving up to take on Valentina Shevchenko. Sean Brady and Marlon Moraes will also go toe-to-toe, likely for the next chance at the Welterweight title, and Leon Edwards looks to get back on the right track against the rampaging Carlos Prates. We take a look at some key fights below, with odds thanks to Neds!
UFC 322 Betting Tips
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Della Maddalena became UFC champion in May, dethroning Belal Muhhamad on the back of strong takedown defence and fighting behind his jab. The Aussie is undefeated in UFC after fighting eight times for the promotion and has notable wins over Kevin Holland and Gilbert Burns.
But this fight is undoubtedly his toughest to date, taking on Makhachev, who moves up in weight after one of the greatest Lightweight title reigns in history, beating Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski twice.
This fight boils down to two questions. Firstly, how does Makhachev look up a weight class? And secondly, can Della Maddalena make this a brawl?
Sadly for the Aussie, I expect Makhachev to have little problem taking Della Maddalena to the mat, and I don’t particularly like the Aussie's ground game. While he has the power and volume punching to stop him on the feet, I don’t see the Dagestani taking any unnecessary risks, as he has always been content to play it safe.
I would love to pick Della Maddalena, but the smart play is Makhachev. I am adding him to win by submission to bump the odds up nicely, as his submission defence is not all it’s cracked up to be.
Islam Makhachev by submission
$3.00 (3 Units)
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang
Shevchenko successfully cleared out her division again by scoring a unanimous decision over Manon Fiorot in May. That was her first title defence of her second reign after comprehensively beating Alexa Grasso on the back of her shock defeat and their rematch, which ended in a draw.
Shevchenko’s UFC record stands at an impeccable 14-3-1, with her only other losses being close decision defeats to Amanda Nunes at Bantamweight.
She has a worthy adversary here in Zhang. The Chinese phenom has only ever lost to Rose Namajunas in her entire UFC career. However, the size difference may prove to be a big factor in this fight. Shevchenko has three inches of reach and is just the bigger woman. Zhang has routinely bullied her opponents, but that won’t be the case here.
That being said, Zhang will pose the same problem as what Amanda Nunez did to Shevchenko. She won’t be afraid to trade in the pocket and will constantly be on the front foot. I also believe Zhang’s wrestling is as good as Shevchenko’s, and therefore, it is not the X-factor that many are suggesting. I am going to go with the contender to claim a title in a new weight division, and for this to potentially be the time UFC legend Shevchenko lays the gloves down in the Octagon.
Weili Zhang to win
$2.20 (4 Units)
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
I am very keen to back Edwards this weekend as he faces the rampaging Prates. ‘Rocky’ lost his belt to Belal Muhammad and then put in a lacklustre showing against Sean Brady. Both men’s forward wrestling pressure was his undoing, but he faces nothing like that here. It is also easy to forget just how good he is and that his own wrestling saw him outwrestle Kamaru Usman as he defended his belt.
I also don’t believe Prates is a genuine title contender. He was beaten by Ian Garry before knocking out Geoff Neal. The Brazilian will also give Edwards the fight he wants on the feet, and the Englishman can turn to his own grappling as he pleases to sap the questionable gas tank of his opponent.
As long as Edwards isn’t a complete shell of his former self, he wins this fight and quite easily. I am stunned he is such a large outsider here, and I am keen to cash in on it.
Leon Edwards to win
$2.70 (4 Units)
