UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev Full Card Analysis

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev – 11.15.2025 – Fight Predictions and Analysis

Welcome to our collaborative coverage of UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev. This is one of the year’s best pay-per-view events taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Be sure to check out our full reasoning for every pick as our records will not reflect confidence in each selection. We will be picking every fight, but likely only recommend betting on a select few. 

Current Record

• Anthony: 293-169-1 (Last Year 321-191-0, 63%)
• Nick: 294-168-1 (Last Year 316-196-0, 62%)

*Fight odds were last updated from Bet99 on 11-14-2025 at 11pm EST

Early Prelims- Start 6:00pm EST

Matheus Camilo -170 vs Viacheslav Borshchev +145

• Anthony: This event begins with lightweights Matheus Camilo and Viacheslav Borshchev. All of the hype surrounding Borshchev has faded through his recent skid the past two years. Borshchev has always been feared as a striker but there are clear deficiencies in his grappling that Borschev cannot seem to correct. He is a sieve when it comes to stopping takedowns and making an effort to fight back off of the mat. Borshchev would like to lure Camilo into a kickboxing match. Camilo secured a strong triangle in the first round of his debut before eventually ceding to the always tough Gabe Green. He is still a young fighter that can develop more patience finishing fights on the mat. I am hopeful that Camilo utilizes his grappling here and attacks Borshchev who only defends 42 percent of opponent takedowns. While Borshchev is a dynamic and very fast kickboxer, he poses no threats to opponents from his back. Camilo should utilize his offensive grappling here to find his first win fighting in the promotion. He would not be wise to allow Borshchev any room to strike. Camilo will get his chance to even up the striking total by landing strikes from mount position. He will likely hunt for a finish via submission or ground and pound. Matheus Camilo by Decision
• Nick: Matheus Camilo has fought for a variety of regional promotions taking on a decent level of competition, but nothing really near UFC level. He suffered a submission loss in his UFC debut against Gabe Green, a fighter not really known for his advanced grappling ability. Camilo is relatively well-rounded with four of his nine wins coming by KO and two coming by submission. At this point in his career it seems he prefers to fight at striking range, but he’s somewhat untested as a prospect so he’s a tough fighter to get a read on. In this particular match-up, he’d be wise to try to lean on his grappling. Viacheslav Borschev is primarily a kickboxer. He throws extremely powerful shots with all of his limbs and he seems to have excellent head movement and footwork. As talented as he is on the feet, his grappling leaves a lot to be desired. He trains at a grappling focused camp via Team Alpha Male where he serves as a striking coach. It can be expected his wrestling will continue to improve, but he’s going to have trouble against the stronger grapplers in this division. Additionally, at 33-years old it seems he could be surpassing his athletic prime. He enters this fight on a two-fight losing streak and he’s likely fighting for his job here. This is a binary match-up in which Borschev is the much better striker and Camilo is the better grappler. This is a low confidence play, but I’ll side with the favorite as the younger and more athletic fighter in this matchup by a wide margin. Matheus Camilo by Decision

Baisangur Susurkaev -1000 vs Eric McConico +650

• Anthony: Next is a fight at middleweight between Eric McConico and Baisangur Susurkaev. This is a very easy bet as I expect Susurkaev to destroy McConico. Susurkaev is an undefeated Chechen fighter and main training partner of the champion Khamzat Chimaev. This matchup seems like a free win to continue building up Susurkaev on this huge card. Not only does he possess great grappling skills but Susurkaev has showcased elite talent on the feet. He has 79-inch reach and great footwork, flowing in the pocket and ripping into opponents with very powerful strikes. His kicks are excellent and I think he will light up McConico standing. Susurkaev had his chin touched making his UFC debut but still rallied back to win the fight by second round submission. He will absolutely slice through McConico should this bout hit the ground. I doubt that Susurkaev will pursue takedowns but he can if he decides he needs to in the second round. I am not sure how McConico will approach closing the distance here against such a dangerous and rangy opponent. Susurkaev will be landing heavy combinations early and I think we will see another highlight finish added to his resume. He is my most confident pick to win for this event today. Baisangur Susurkaev by Round One KO
• Nick: Susurkaev is one of the more exciting prospects to break into the promotion over the past few years. He is 10-0 professionally and one of the main training partners of UFC Middleweight Champion, Khamzat Chimaev. Susurkaev is an extremely gifted striker with a style reminiscent of all-time great, Anderson Silva. He fights loosely, but aggressively. He has excellent footwork. He does a good job baiting his opponents into powerful shots and he has true KO power in all of his limbs. While he’s certainly most gifted on the feet, he’s also a solid wrestler with dangerous offensive grappling ability and above average takedown defense. As talented as he is offensively, his defense does seem to be questionable at times as he’s over confident in close exchanges. McConico is primarily a striker with decent power on the feet and as a southpaw he can be difficult for lower level opponents to read. He’s one of the main training partners of Jared Cannonier, fighting out of a solid camp in MMA Lab in Arizona. He is 10-3-1 professionally, coming off a narrow decision win over Cody Brundage. He has decent offensive grappling ability, but it seems he mostly likes to stand and exchange on the feet. The line is wide here as Susurkaev is still somewhat untested, but McConico is the type of opponent he should run through. I expect this fight to end quickly and violently for the favorite as long as Susurkaev stays defensively minded closing distance. Baisangur Susurkaev by Round One KO

Fatima Kline -550 vs Angela Hill +400

• Anthony: The next bout is a fight at women’s strawweight between Angela Hill and Fatima Kline. There is a gap of fifteen years between the age of these fighters. Hill has been a staple of this division forever but she is now 40 years old and clearly not fighting to the best of her ability. Kline is rightfully favored here as shown in the streak of wins out of her lately. It does not seem like Kline has many weaknesses or holes that need to be addressed. This is a fight at home for her in New York and this matchup could propel her into the division rankings. Kline does well landing great shots with power and putting together her combinations. She has very heavy hands for this weight class winning both of her previous appearances via knockout. Kline again will be chasing that knockout facing Hill. It is worth noting that she has never been knocked out before. Hill is a good value bet in this spot if the fight is to go to decision. Kline should land the harder strikes but Hill could still put together some nice combinations in a pure striking match. Hopefully Kline will get hands on Hill early and really punish her in clinch positions. Hill has also been slowing down in latter rounds while Kline has the advantage being much younger and fresher. Fatima Kline by Decision
• Nick: This fight will mark Angela Hill’s 98th with the UFC. Hill is well-rounded, with a powerful muay thai striking base. She is a competent grappler with decent BJJ, but most of her success has come striking both in the clinch as well as in open space. At 40 years old she is one of the older fighters in the division, but she’s proven to be a tough out for the majority of this 115 lb division. Fatima Kline is 8-1 professionally, and just 24-years old. She’s small for the division, but a gifted offensive grappler. She’s 2-1 in the UFC, with both wins coming via finish. In her UFC debut she fell to a tough out in Jasmine Jasudavicius, but she did well to extend the fight until the scorecards as she took that fight up a weight class and on short notice. While it is true most of her success seems to come on the mat, her striking has improved considerably over her last few fights. The line feels far too wide here given Hill’s experience advantage, but I expect she’ll struggle to keep pace with Kline. Kline is the younger, more athletic, and the better grappler in this matchup. That should be more than enough for her to secure a win on the scorecard. Fatima Kline by Decision

Pat Sabatini -120 vs Chepe Mariscal +100

• Anthony: Next is a featherweight fight between Pat Sabatini and Chepe Mariscal. This bout is a rematch of a fight from 2018 that Mariscal was able to win via split decision. It is a fight between striker and grappler. Mariscal is now continuing to grind out impressive victories at the UFC level. He is a strong and powerful boxer with good durability and grit. Mariscal is very strong for this weight class and a judo blackbelt. He has battled against opponents taking him down in previous fights and still emerged victorious. Bettors can be confident that Mariscal will fight hard for their money and likely score on offense throughout this fight. Sabatini is much more reliant on having the matchup go his way. He is one dimensional and will rely on the takedown in order to win this matchup. Sabatini is not as tall as Mariscal but the compact frame gives him an edge grappling. Both men have matured and grown a lot since their previous meeting. Mariscal is strong and can reverse a lot of tough positions but Sabatini is elite with his jiu jitsu and setting up attacks. Sabatini will probably be able to lure Mariscal into scrambles where he will likely stay several steps ahead. Sabatini is a black belt in jiu jitsu under Daniel Gracie. He is a credentialed grappling champion and excellent at chaining together his wrestling. Overall I think he is just slightly preferred here in what is currently an even odds fight. Sabatini was a large favorite heading into the first meeting. Pat Sabatini by Decision
• Nick: Pat Sabatini is a well-rounded fighter with decent striking ability and slick BJJ. He is excellent in scrambles, he has shown solid body-lock takedown ability and his greatest strength comes via his strong wrestling base and takedown entries. Sabatini is 20-5 professionally, and he hasn’t lost a fight since 2023. Chepe Mariscal is 18-6 professionally, coming off of five consecutive wins under the UFC banner. He is well-rounded, but he mostly prefers to stand and trade on the feet. He has a solid chin and fights at an impressive pace, and his professional wins have almost exclusively come to UFC level opponents. He continues to improve at 33-years old and fights out of an excellent camp via Elevation Fight Team. Sabatini’s chin and durability are certainly concerning here, but I expect he can outgrapple Mariscal as the stronger and more cerebral wrestler. This fight becomes a question of how often things take place at striking range. I could certainly see this fight going either way, but I am seeing Sabatini as the rightful favorite. Mariscal has decent takedown defense, but Sabatini’s grappling should prevent Mariscal from really opening up at range. Pat Sabatini by Decision

Kyle Daukaus -500 vs Gerald Meerschaert +375

• Anthony: Next is a fight at middleweight between Kyle Daukaus and Gerald Meerschaert. Daukaus appears to be much improved as he looks to start a streak toward the rankings once again. In his return to the promotion, Daukaus needed only 43 seconds to knockout out Michel Pereira. He is on a five fight winning streak and finishing opponents with ferocity. The biggest development in Daukaus’ arsenal has been his improved striking and confidence on the feet. He now has offensive weapons that pose a threat to pair with his elite offensive jiu jitsu. Meerschaert is a very decorated black belt and there is no reason for Daukaus to chase submissions against him in this spot. GM3 has lost in three straight fights and looks about as bad as he has ever. Meerschaert moves incredibly slow and does not respond well at all to damage. He is always going to pose a threat the later that his fights go but Daukaus is too strong and skilled when grappling to fall into any of his traps. I am expecting Daukaus to finish Meerschaert here with his striking. He will also have plenty of opportunity to engage grappling as Meerschaert will likely be shooting in. Meerschaert has 29 wins via submission and that is his only method to victory in this bout. Daukaus will win as the betting favorite. Kyle Daukaus by Round Two KO
• Nick: Kyle Daukaus is coming off an impressive KO win of Michel Pereira which came in his return fight to the UFC. He was cut from the promotion following back-to-back losses back in 2022, but at 32 years old it does seem that he is still in his athletic prime. Daukaus’ striking is still far from technical, but he is well-versed enough to stand and trade when he needs to. His greatest strength is his offensive grappling ability as a BJJ black belt, but he’s also shown a solid chin and mostly excellent cardio. Gerald Meerschaert is well-rounded, but most of his professional wins have come via submission. He’s a highly skilled BJJ black belt with a seemingly endless arsenal of attacks on the ground. As good as Meerschaert is on the mat, he sometimes has trouble getting the fight there. His takedown entries leave a lot to be desired and his wrestling ability is questionable at best. The line feels wide here as Meerschaert is almost always live as an underdog. Still, there is no denying how far past his prime he is as he enters this fight. Daukaus does everything Meershaert does but he is younger and more durable. I expect the favorite can find a finish at striking range. Kyle Daukaus by Round Two KO

Preliminary Card- Start 8:00pm EST

Malcolm Wellmaker -500 vs Ethan Ewing +375

• Anthony: The next fight is a matchup at featherweight between Ethan Ewing and Malcolm Wellmaker. This booking came on very short notice as Wellmaker was originally scheduled to face Cody Haddon at bantamweight. Wellmaker is 10-0, just now turning to a full-time professional and drawing a lot of attention at 135 pounds. He has won by landing the right hook for a knockout in his previous three bouts. He has also won five straight fights by round one knockout. He is one of the stronger and more naturally gifted power threats at bantamweight, so I am sure his punches will still crack today. He credits the trades and blue-collar work to his phenomenal strength. Ewing normally competes at bantamweight as well and steps in as one of few options to fight on the day. Ewing performed well in each of his wins but the level of competition has not been fierce. Wellmaker should enter this fight with all of the confidence in the world. He has the height, reach, speed and advantage of training for a longer camp when compared to Ewing. This is shaping up to be another highlight reel knockout for Wellmaker. Malcolm Wellmaker by Round One KO
• Nick: Malcolm Wellmaker is 31 years-old, and he enters this fight with an undefeated 10-0 professional record. He’s coming off four straight wins via KO, with each of the last two coming under the UFC banner. He’s getting a late break into the promotion, but he spent the early part of his career very active on the amateur circuit so he really is more experienced than his record might suggest. He’s relatively well rounded, but his greatest strength is certainly his striking ability at range. He is quick in and out of breaks, and he can land power shots from a variety of unconventional angles. Ethyn Ewing is taking this fight on just a few days’ notice as a replacement for the injured Cody Haddon. He’s small for the division, but he carries surprising power for his frame. He has decent footwork and when he’s at his best he does a good job forcing his opponents to fight moving backwards. Wellmaker still has a lot to prove as a prospect, but this feels like a test he should pass. He’s an excellent counterstriker, and it seems likely Ewing tries to crash the pocket against him here. Malcolm Wellmaker by Round Two KO

Erin Blanchfield -250 vs Tracy Cortez +200

• Anthony: Next is a fight at women’s flyweight between Tracy Cortez and Erin Blanchfield. This bout is a rematch of a fight from 2019 that Cortez won via split decision. Blanchfield has lost only once since that fight when she dropped a decision to Manon Fiorot. I consider Blanchfield one of the better women in this division and capable of fighting for a title very soon. Blanchfield has very sound wrestling skills and strength compared to most opponents at this weight. She is a very tactical fighter and Blanchfield has developed into a much more prevalent striking threat. Cortez should have the clear edge boxing against Blanchfield. She may not land the best strikes throughout this fight but the volume will be consistent enough to keep scoring rounds close. Blanchfield can really separate herself by forcing Cortez into the clinch and hurting her with punches on her way into takedown attempts. Blanchfield figures to have the better cardio but both athletes are extremely durable. This seems like a sure bet to go to the judge’s scorecards. Cortez was the last fighter to weigh-in on Friday and I do not think she will do enough to win this rematch. Erin Blanchfield by Decision
• Nick: In spite of a recent loss to a top contender in Manon Fiorot, Erin Blanchfield has secured impressive wins over Rose Namajunas, Tailia Santos, Jessica Andrade, and Miranda Maverick. She’s primarily a grappler with a solid wrestling base, decent technical ability on the feet and an extremely high Fight IQ. She’s fairly slow and plodding when she strikes, but she puts out a lot of volume. She does an excellent job using her strikes to set up her takedown attempts ,and once she’s on top she does a good job using her weight to hold position. She continues to make considerable improvements as she’s only 26-years old, and many have her pegged as a future champion at 125 pounds. Tracy Cortez is fairly well-rounded, but her greatest strength is certainly her grappling ability. She has a solid wrestling base, impressive ground-and-pound and she averages nearly three successful takedowns per fifteen minutes. She trains out of an excellent camp in Fight Ready, and she’s coming off a solid win over a tough out in Viviane Araujo. Cortez is talented, but Blanchfield is comparable in terms of her striking ability and the much more effective grappler in this matchup. I’m siding with the favorite to win a convincing decision. Erin Blanchfield by Decision

Gregory Rodrigues -185 vs Roman Kopylov +150

• Anthony: This should be a great matchup at middleweight between Roman Kopylov and Gregory Rodrigues. Kopylov will be looking to use his elite kickboxing to win this matchup in a brawl. Rodrigues is a very powerful middleweight that tends to see red and start throwing recklessly against opponents. He has earned performance bonuses in each of his last two bouts. It can be said Rodrigues lands the better flurries of punches while Kopylov puts forth higher, more consistent volume throughout the fight. Kopylov will be attacking all different levels here while Rodrigues will mostly be boxing. We also could see the Brazilian duck under and land takedowns against Kopylov in order to win this bout. It seems likely that Rodrigues is the betting favorite because of the advantage of his blackbelt. However, Rodrigues does not tend to shoot often enough and instead decides to recklessly brawl. Kopylov seems like the slightly more sound fighter with a higher rate of strikes defended. Rodrigues will likely fall way behind on the striking numbers if he cannot secure a finish. He will also need to be careful not to eat any strikes as he is shooting in. Kopylov seems like a live betting underdog in what is a volatile matchup. Roman Kopylov by Round Two KO
• Nick: Roman Kopylov is a dangerous offensive kickboxer at range. He does a good job mixing heavy kicks into his combinations, but he is somewhat predictable as he seems to telegraph many of his bigger shots. He has won six of his last eight fights, but he’s coming off an ugly decision loss to Paulo Costa. His grappling has improved a lot since he made his debut, but defensively it is still a bit of a hole in his game. Gregory Rodrigues has a BJJ black belt, but he’s found most of his success just standing and striking at range. He’s massive for the division, but he carries so much muscle that it seems he fades if his fights get into the later rounds. Rodrigues is extremely dangerous offensively, but he telegraphs many of his strikes which leads him open to be countered in chaotic exchanges. Regardless, he’s a potent finisher with a well-rounded overall game. This is one of the more competitive fights on the card and one I could certainly see going either way. On the feet, both fighters are capable of finding a KO, but I prefer the Rodrigues side as he can lean on his grappling if he needs to. Gregory Rodrigues by Round Two KO

Bo Nickal -220 vs Rodolfo Vieira +180

• Anthony: The featured prelim is a fight at middleweight between Rodolfo Vieira and Bo Nickal. This seems like a rather soft price betting on Bo Nickal coming off of his first professional loss. The much hyped prospect was humbled and beaten by a sound opponent in Reinier de Ridder. Nickal is now taking a step back in competition yet facing a dangerous athlete that does pose him some threats in this booking. Vieira is a crafty jiu jitsu blackbelt that can oppose Nickal on the mat. Both men will be confident scoring takedowns or at least attempting shots with confidence that they can scramble to a good position. Vieira’s guard could also intimidate Nickal and cause him to strike for large portions of this bout. I am expecting Nickal to look much more focused here and capable of responding when he gets hit with powerful strikes. His boxing is improving and I think he has a clear speed advantage landing his kickboxing against Vieira. These fighters both seem to struggle with maintaining their cardio for three full rounds but Nickal should certainly have the ability to outwork the Brazilian who is seven years older. Wrestling tends to beat jiu jitsu and I think Nickal intends to prove it in this fight. If Nickal is victorious in this matchup it may be the last time he is -220 for quite a while. I am confidently picking him to win. Bo Nickal by Round Two KO
• Nick: Bo Nickal is widely considered one of the best prospects in the sport of MMA. He is only 7-1 professionally, but all but one of those wins have come via finish. What Nickal lacks in professional MMA experience, he more than makes up for in wrestling credentials. Nickal was awarded the 2019 Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s most outstanding collegiate wrestler for that year. He was a finalist in the 2020 Olympic Team trials, and a three-time NCAA Division I National Champion. Nickal trains at American Top Team where he’s been working on his striking extensively with the likes of Mike Brown and Jorge Masvidal. He’s shown to have true one-shot power, he’s an explosive athlete and he’s expected to climb the rankings at 185 rather quickly. All that being said, he was exposed defensively his last time out in his first professional loss to Renier de Ridder. He was outstruck in the clinch, and it seemed his cardio quickly depleted before he was folded via KO against the cage. Rodolfo Vieira is one of the most talented BJJ players in the UFC as a decorated Black belt and Five-time BJJ World Champion. He’s a Freestyle Wrestling and a Combat Sambo Master of sport, but he definitely leans on his jiu-jitsu as it’s far and away his greatest strength. Vieira’s striking is far from technical, but he’s a monster physically so he can put power behind his punches and close distance effectively enough to work opponents to the mat. As dangerous as he is, his cardio is a major liability. Vieira is an interesting test here for Nickal, but his age is likely to show against the much younger and more athletic fighter. I expect Nickal can outland Vieira on the feet here and mix in his takedowns as this fight wears on. Bo Nickal by Decision

Main Card- Starts 10:00pm EST

Benoit Saint-Denis -200 vs Beneil Dariush +160

• Anthony: The main card begins with this lightweight matchup between Beneil Dariush and Benoit Saint-Denis. Dariush did miss weight yesterday coming in more than one pound heavy. These men will likely produce a scrap that will be in the running for Fight of the Night honors. Both are coming off wins in their most recent octagon appearance. Saint-Denis won each of his last two fights by submission but Dariush will provide a much tougher test than the recent opponents he has beaten. Saint-Denis is a predator very early in round one, quickly pursuing opponents and causing dangerous exchanges. He is favored here given his strong finishing equity in rounds one and two. Normally he acts quickly with conviction, relentlessly pursuing an early takedown or fiery boxing exchange. He appears to be entering this matchup in better shape than his opponent. Dariush is still a composed veteran that should be able to match Saint-Denis in most areas. He is strong and wields a black belt in jiu jitsu that can combat Saint-Denis’ offensive wrestling. Dariush still has big power and good striking instincts in this battle between southpaws. The concern for me is his ability to take a punch at this stage of his career. Dariush has lost by knockout five times. Saint-Denis could see a finish materialize against this type of fighter if he does pour on the damage early. However, momentum will shift toward the underdog the later that this bout goes on. Dariush should provide a great test to see if Saint-Denis belongs on this card loaded with elite talent. Bettors should consider betting live on Dariush if he is able to escape the first round. Benoit Saint-Denis by Round One KO
• Nick: Benoit Saint-Denis is a BJJ specialist with a solid wrestling base and an impressive arsenal of submissions at his disposal. Prior to back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano in 2024, he had strung together five straight wins under the UFC banner. He is now on a new two-fight win streak, coming off an impressive submission win over a rising prospect in Mauricio Ruffy. On the feet, he works well behind a powerful body kick. He is an aggressive striker who is at his most dangerous in the early rounds. His cardio seems to be somewhat of a question mark, but it is notable that he’s been taking on a mostly elite level of competition. Beneil Dariush has an outstanding ground game, but his striking has been what has led to most of his success in the UFC. He’s a highly technical kick boxer who effectively mixes creative and timely spinning attacks into his combinations. Dariush is hyper-aggressive so he sometimes leaves himself open to damage, but he is a tough out for anyone and one of the more well-rounded fighters in the world at 155 lbs. Saint-Denis is the more potent finisher here, but Dariush should have technical advantages both at striking range and on the mat. As long as he can stay safe early, I expect he can outclass Saint-Denis as this fight wears on. Beneil Dariush by Decision

Carlos Prates -185 vs Leon Edwards +150

• Anthony: Next is a fight at welterweight between Carlos Prates and Leon Edwards. Prates last competed in August, earning Performance of the Night for his first round finish of Geoff Neal. Prates established his offense early there and landed a clean spinning elbow to stop the fight. On the microphone after Prates called to face Edwards in October but now he gets his wish in Madison Square Garden instead. This will be a battle between elite strikers in this division. Edwards is an elite fighter but currently on a two fight losing streak. While Edwards has a decisive grappling advantage over Prates I do not expect to see him wrestle in this fight. It seems this is finally a matchup that favors Edwards stylistically as he can perform where he is best. He has been frustrated opposing a lot of grapplers lately. Edwards will be landing the cleaner kicks than Prates and likely countering well. However, Prates should be able to find a rhythm and start hurting Edwards with a variety of his strikes throughout this fight. Edwards does not always respond well to pressure and he has lost plenty of rounds inside of the cage. Prates has the ability to switch stances better than Edwards and benefits from a four-inch advantage in reach. I am expecting these two to really get after it on the feet and that kind of brawl would favor Prates. Prates does hit harder and chase the bigger attacks. Geoff Neal had never been stopped before running into The Nightmare and now I think Edwards will lose a fight by KO for the very first time. Prates also should score well in a decision with only three rounds scheduled against the former champion. Carlos Prates by Round Two KO
• Nick: Carlos Prates is 31-years old with a 22-7 professional record. He’s coming off a highlight reel KO win over a well-regarded divisional mainstay in Geoff Neal. He starts slow in most of his fights, but he’s extremely accurate and generally does a good job landing for timely KOs. Prates fights very loosely in his approach. He throws a lot of kicks, and his long frame can make it difficult for opponents to take him down. His striking defense seems solid, but he does move straight back at times which can leave him open to be damaged in exchanges. When he’s at his best he works well behind his jab. He fights at a torrid pace and his cardio and durability both seem quality as well. Leon Edwards, the former UFC Welterweight Champion, had strung together twelve consecutive wins before he lost his title via decision to Belal Muhammad. He has since dropped a fight via submission to Sean Brady, and he enters this fight off the first two-fight losing streak of his professional career. Edwards is a gifted striker that does an excellent job of moving in and out of his opponents’ range. His wrestling has undoubtedly improved over the past few years, but there is no doubt that he mostly prefers to stand and trade. While Prates is the more explosive fighter here and he should have a speed and power advantage, it feels like Edwards is being disrespected on the moneyline. Edwards is a former champion, he’s never been KO’d, and it has been a long time since he faced another true striker. A low confidence play, but I see value in the underdog. Leon Edwards by Decision

Sean Brady -140 vs Michael Morales +115

• Anthony: The featured bout is a fight at welterweight between Sean Brady and Michael Morales. It is very likely that the winner of this matchup will be involved in fighting for a title next time out. Morales is undefeated at 18-0. He is an exciting prospect at just 26 years old with two consecutive wins coming by knockout. Morales is a 6’0 welterweight with 79-inch reach. This matchup will see his elite striking ability tested against Brady’s great grappling. Sean Brady is coming off a victory, submitting Leon Edwards in his last appearance. These odds seem reasonable as Brady can easily win two rounds by grappling and securing top position. Morales can also win just as easily by battering Brady with strikes. Brady has no weapons to combat Morales’ offense when standing, apart from of course his great takedowns and elite jiu jitsu. Brady will need to drag Morales to the ground in order to win this fight. Morales may fight to his feet given his size and athleticism, but I think that frame can work against him here opposing this high-level grappler. Morales could also make mistakes rushing to get back to his feet too quickly. Brady has an elite guillotine that he can finish from any position on top. He is a nightmare to deal with on the mat and I think Morales will largely be forced to play defense there. This fight is only three rounds so both men have equity to win via decision. Brady seems slightly more likely to win convincingly when these styles clash. I do not think anybody should be betting this particular matchup with any confidence. Sean Brady by Decision
• Nick: Sean Brady is one of the more exciting prospects we have at welterweight, coming off a dominant win by submission over a former champion in Leon Edwards. Brady is a decent offensive striker and competent on the feet, but his greatest strength is certainly his extremely strong and powerful grappler ability. He has elite submission ability as a decorated black belt in jiu jitsu, and he’s strong enough to take his opponents’ necks from unconventional positions. Morales is only 26 years old, but he already fights with patience and poise. He is undefeated professionally with a 18-0 record, and he is 6-0 in the UFC. He has a decent wrestling base, but he certainly prefers to stand and trade. He does an excellent job mixing kicks into his combinations, he has excellent footwork especially defensively. While his volume on the feet can be low at times, his offensive strikes are both explosive and accurate. He is an underrated grappler with decent BJJ. He continues to show massive improvements fight to fight. This match-up is as volatile as it is binary. Morales is the much better striker, and Brady is the much better grappler. He’ll need to stay safe when closing the distance, but I do expect Brady can impose his will here and ultimately secure a win on the mat. Sean Brady by Round Three Submission

Valentina Shevchenko -140 vs Zhang Weili +115

• Anthony: The co-main event is a fight between champions Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili. The former strawweight champion Weili is moving up with few challenges left for her at 115 pounds. Beating a champion as good as Valentina and earning a belt at two weights would cement Weili as one of the best ever pound-for-pound. She already boasts a great resume with an overall record of 26-3. This fight will help shape the legacy of both as they enter the latter stages of their career. Weili has been one of my favorites but I think she is outmatched just a bit here. Shevchenko is rightfully favored facing an opponent who must move up in weight to oppose her. Weili will bring the heat in this fight against Shevchenko, but size will play a key factor in deciding this bout. Shevchenko is taller and has two and half inch reach opposing Weili. Her size will be felt in grappling exchanges where Shevchenko should have a slight edge. Weili is a talented wrestler but Shevchenko times her takedowns perfectly and does well staying on top. At strawweight, Weili was also feared because of her power and size which will not be the case here. She can likely defend takedown attempts from Valentina but I am doubtful that Weili secures multiple takedowns of her own. She may be a step quicker on the feet but Shevchenko is a lifelong kickboxer with tremendous skills on the feet. It will be interesting to see which athlete really looks to apply early pressure in this bout. This is a clash between two of the all time greatest fighters and worth the price of this pay-per-view on its own. Both are technically great in every area and highly accurate strikers. It would not surprise me to see a finish materialize for either fighter in this matchup. I predict that Shevchenko will win at least a few of these rounds unanimously in defense of her title. And Still. Valentina Shevchenko by Decision
• Nick: Valentina Shevchenko, is one of the best female strikers to ever step in a cage. She’s a highly technical kickboxer with extremely powerful kicks and enough speed to land a variety of combinations against anyone in this division. She’s capable of leaning on her grappling against other competent strikers, which could be her plan here against Zhang Weilli. Shevchenko isn’t as dominant as she was a few years ago, but she’s still elite in all facets of MMA and one of the best women fighters in the sport. Zhang Weili will be moving up to Flyweight here after defending the UFC Strawweight Championship for the past three years. She is coming off wins over Joanna Jerdzejcyk, Carla Esparza, Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and most recently Tatiana Suarez. She’s 26-3 professionally, but at 36-years old she is still very much within her athletic prime. She is a gifted athlete and extremely strong in spite of her stature. She is primarily a striker, but she can finish a fight no matter where it goes. Weili has been training under the Hickman Brothers, some of the better regarded coaches in the world in terms of wrestling in MMA. She’s been showing considerable improvements in her grappling ability, her Fight IQ, and it’s certainly encouraging to know she’s been training with a higher level of athlete than she was in her home gyms in China. This is an outstanding match-up between two of the greatest women to ever compete in the UFC. I could certainly see this fight going either way, but I expect the size of Shevchenko should allow her to stay just a step ahead. And Still. Valentina Shevchenko by Decision

Islam Makhachev -300 vs Jack Della Maddalena +240

• Anthony: The main event is a fight for the welterweight title between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev is just like Zhang Weili moving up tonight to challenge for bethe lt in a second weight class. He was a dominant champion at lightweight and now Makhachev will attempt to rule over the competition at 170 pounds. Makhachev has not lost since UFC 192 more than ten years ago. He seems to be in his athletic prime now and fighting as good as he ever has against championship caliber opponents. He will look to dethrone Della Maddalena by implementing his wrestling and following father’s plan. Della Maddalena has a great jab and very good awareness when boxing. Makhachev has developed a lot as a striker but he will struggle to keep pace with the early volume from Della Maddalena. Makhachev must do well timing his best attacks and landing counters off of the Australian’s jab. Della Maddalena is probably one of the opponents best suited to oppose Mackhachev and his elite grappling. Conventionally you would not think a striker would find success against Makhachev but Della Maddalena has a great guard and quick maneuvers to fight back to his feet. He has been taken down in fights before and quick to reverse his way into position to get back scrapping. He does very well in those clinch exchanges, landing damaging strikes moving backwards, elbows and fight-ending knees. Della Maddalena is dangerous but I expect Mackhachev to eventually capture him in the grasp of his wrestling. Makhachev seems to be in the best shape ever fighting at his natural weight of 170 pounds. He has the size to be a welterweight champion and this move up feels like it was inevitable. Della Maddalea has won eighteen straight fights and that should not be overlooked. With Khabib in his corner calling out orders, Makhachev will certainly wrestle here and look to mitigate risk. His lifelong wrestling practice will come to factor here in capturing another belt. He can match Anderson Silva’s record of sixteen straight UFC victories, while also achieving the status of double champion tonight. Makhachev will prove in this fight why he is the pound-for-pound best. And New. Islam Makhachev by Round Two Submission
• Nick: Islam Makhachev will be moving up to challenge for the UFC Welterweight Championship here, after defending the UFC Lightweight Championship four times after capturing it back in 2022. He is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and undeniably one of the most talented and well-rounded fighters on the roster. He is a decorated grappler as a Master of Sport in Combat Sambo. He pushes a serious pace and has enough wrestling ability to take almost anyone down repeatedly. Makhachev has underrated striking, knockout power and clear draw for the promotion. He doesn’t throw much volume on the feet, but he can be highly effective when he does. Jack Della Maddalena has shown highly technical striking ability in his short UFC tenure. He has excellent head movement and footwork, surprising power, and while his grappling hasn’t been tested extensively at this level, it seems he’s competent on the mat as well, most recently showing excellent takedown defense and capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship from Belal Muhammad. Della Maddalena is coming off nine straight wins under the UFC banner, but there is no denying this match-up represents a major step up for him in terms of level of competition. Della Maddalena does an excellent job mixing in body shots to set up head strikes and his pressure and volume is difficult for most of his opponents to endure. That being said, if he overexerts himself it could open up opportunities for Makhachev to score takedowns here. Della Maddalena is the better striker in this match-up, so he’s live for an upset if he can score an opportunistic KO. That being said, I expect Makhachev to lean on his grappling as he stays a step ahead in this one. And New. Islam Makhachev by Round Three Submission

-Nick Marro

Twitter: @NickMarroDFS

-Anthony Marro

Twitter: @AnthonyMarro_

Photo: UFC.com