The penultimate and most anticipated numbered event of 2025 goes down Saturday with UFC 322 from Madison Square Garden.
It’s an annual tradition for the octagon to land in “The Big Apple” during the November month, and this year the promotion stacked the deck as high as ever with a loaded fight card featuring future UFC Hall of Famers, current and former champions as well as some of the best next-generation talent on the roster.
The championship doubleheader atop the lineup will see welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) put his belt on the line for the first time against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), while the co-main event has Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) putting her women’s flyweight belt up for grabs against former two-time strawweight titleholder Zhang Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC).
For more on the numbers behind the incredible card that is UFC 322, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts.
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Jack Della Maddalena
Della Maddalena is one of 13 fighters to be undisputed UFC welterweight champion.
Della Maddalena is one of three champion in UFC history to be signed through Dana White’s Contender Series. Jamahal Hill and Sean O’Malley also accomplished the feat.
Della Maddalena is on an 18-fight winning streak after starting his career 0-2. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since May 2016.
Della Maddalena’s eight-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is the longest active streak in the division.
Della Maddalena’s eight-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is tied for the third-longest in divisional history behind Kamaru Usman (15) and Georges St-Pierre (12).
Della Maddalena lands 6.78 significant strikes per minute in UFC welterweight competition, the second-highest rate in divisional history behind Daniel Rodriguez (7.21).
Islam Makhachev
Makhachev can become the 11th (or 12th if Zhang wins) fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Amanda Nunes, Jon Jones, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria accomplished the feat.
Makhachev’s five victories in UFC lightweight title fights are most in divisional history.
Makhachev’s four consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses are most of any champion in divisional history.
Makhachev’s 15-fight UFC winning streak is the longest active streak among fighters on the roster.
Makhachev’s 15-fight UFC winning streak is tied with Usman for the second-longest streak in company history behind Anderson Silva (16).
Makhachev’s 14-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is the longest in divisional history.
Makhachev’s eight submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are third-most in divisional history behind Jim Miller (11) and Charles Oliveira (11).
Makhachev is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn submission victories with five or more different techniques. Oliveira, Miller, Gerald Meerschaert, Frank Mir, Chris Lytle and Stefan Struve also accomplished the feat.
Makhachev lands 59.5 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.
Makhachev absorbs 1.53 significant strikes per minute in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate among active fighters in the weight class.
Makhachev has defended 90.9 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
Valentina Shevchenko
Shevchenko is the only two-time women’s flyweight champion in UFC history.
Shevchenko is one of three women’s flyweight champions in UFC history. Alexa Grasso and Nicco Montano also accomplished the feat.
Shevchenko’s 10 victories in UFC women’s championship fights are second-most in company history behind Amanda Nunes (11).
Shevchenko’s 10 victories in UFC women’s flyweight championship fights are most in divisional history.
Shevchenko’s 10 victories in UFC championship fights are tied with Nunes for sixth-most in company history behind Jones (16), St-Pierre (13), Demetrious Johnson (12), Silva (11).
Shevchenko is 11-1-1 since she dropped to the UFC flyweight division in February 2018.
Shevchenko’s 11 victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Shevchenko’s five stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Gillian Robertson (seven).
Shevchenko’s four knockout victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Shevchenko is one of 11 fighters in history to end a UFC title fight with a knockout stemming from a head kick. She accomplished the feat at UFC 238.
Shevchenko is the only fighter in UFC history to earn multiple knockouts stemming from the crucifix position. She accomplished the feat at UFC 247 and UFC 261.
Shevchenko absorbs just 1.86 significant strikes per minute in UFC women’s flyweight competition, the best rate in divisional history.
Shevchenko has completed at least one takedown in 17 of her 18 UFC appearances. That includes in 13 consecutive bouts.
Shevchenko’s 49 takedowns landed in UFC women’s flyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Shevchenko lands 62.8 percent of her takedown attempts in UFC women’s flyweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Taila Santos (75 percent).
Shevchenko’s average fight time of 18:44 in UFC competition is the longest in company history.
Shevchenko three-fight series with Grasso is the only female trilogy bout in UFC history.
Zhang Weili
Zhang can become the 11th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes. Nunes is the only other female to accomplish the feat.
Zhang can become the second female in history to have three separate UFC title reigns. Nunes also accomplished the feat.
Zhang is the only Chinese fighter in history to win a UFC title.
Zhang’s six victories in UFC strawweight championship fights are tied with Joanna Jedrzejczyk for most in divisional history.
Zhang’s disparity of +267 in total strikes landed (296 to 29) at UFC 292 is the second-biggest margin in a title fight. Kamaru Usman outlanded Tyron Woodley by a +276 margin at UFC 235.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk combined for 351 significant strikes landed at UFC 248, the third most in UFC title-fight history. Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega holds the record with 400 total at UFC 231.
Zhang’s five fight-night bonuses in UFC strawweight bouts are fourth-most in divisional history behind Jessica Andrade (nine), Mackenzie Dern (seven) and Rose Namajunas (six).
Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
Sean Brady
Sean Brady (18-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) lands 55.7 percent of his significant strikes in UFC welterweight competition, the third-best rate in divisional history behind Gunnar Nelson (60.6 percent) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (60.1 percent).
Brady set the single-round UFC record for most control time with 4:57 out of 5:00 in Round 2 at UFC Fight Night 255.
Michael Morales
Michael Morales’ (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) six-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is tied for the third-longest active streak in the division behind Della Maddalena (eight) and Rakhmonov (seven).
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards (22-5 MMA, 14-4 UFC) is the only Jamaican-born champion in UFC history.
Edwards is one of two undisputed British titleholders in UFC history. Michael Bisping also accomplished the feat.
Edwards’ 13-fight UFC unbeaten streak at welterweight, which ended at UFC 304, is the second-longest streak in divisional history behind Usman (15).
Edwards’ eight-second knockout of Seth Baczynski at UFC Fight Night 64 is the third fastest in UFC welterweight history. Jorge Masvidal holds the record with his five-second finish of Ben Askren at UFC 239 this month.
Edwards’ victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is tied for the second latest knockout in a three-fight UFC fight behind Ricky Simon’s victory over Merab Dvalishvili at 5:00 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 129.
Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 187 is one of two main events in company history to end in a no contest due to a fouled fighter behind unable to continue.
Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 at UFC 304 is one of four matchups in UFC history to feature two competitors on UFC unbeaten streaks of 10 or more fights. Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman (UFC 278), Islam Makhachev vs. Oliveira (UFC 280), and Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 284).
Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates (22-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has earned 20 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes all five of his UFC wins.
Prates earned one of 10 knockouts in UFC history stemming from a spinning back elbow with his victory at UFC 319.
Prates’ five knockout victories since 2024 in UFC competition are most in the company.
Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint Denis
Beneil Dariush
Beneil Dariush (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) becomes the seventh fighter in history to make 25 or more UFC lightweight appearances.
Dariush’s 17 victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Miller (24).
Dariush is one of 11 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning backfist. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 174.
Benoit Saint Denis
Benoit Saint Denis (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has earned all 15 of his career victories by stoppage.
Saint Denis’ seven victories since 2022 in UFC lightweight competition are tied with Ludovit Klein for most in the division.
Saint Denis lands 58 percent of his significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the third-best rate in divisional history behind Makhachev (59.5 percent) and Justin Gaethje (58.8 percent).
Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
Rodolfo Vieira’s (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) five submission victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Gerald Meerschaert (nine) and Brendan Allen (six).
Vieira’s four submission victories by arm-triangle choke in UFC competition are most in company history.
Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Roman Kopylov (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is 6-4 in his past 10 fights after starting his career 8-0.
Kopylov’s victory at the 4:59 mark of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 249 is tied with six fights for the second-latest stoppage in a three-round UFC bout. Ricky Simon holds the record with his win at 5:00 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 128.
Kopylov defends 87.8 percent of all takedown attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Tresean Gore (88.5 percent).
Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
Erin Blanchfield’s (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) three stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Robertson (seven), Shevchenko (five) and Montana De La Rosa (four).
Blanchfield’s three submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Robertson (six).
Tracy Cortez (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is 4-1 since she dropped to the UFC women’s flyweight division in April 2021.
Cortez has earned nine of her 11 career victories by decision. That includes all six of her UFC wins.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Kyle Daukaus
Gerald Meerschaert (37-19 MMA, 12-11 UFC) competes in his 25th UFC middleweight bout, the second-most appearances in divisional history behind Brad Tavares (27).
Meerschaert has earned 35 of his 37 career victories by stoppage. That includes all 12 of his UFC wins.
Meerschaert’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history.
Meerschaert’s 11 submission victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history.
Meerschaert’s 11 submission victories in UFC competition are tied with Demian Maia for the third-most in company history behind Oliveira (17) and Miller (13).
Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline
Angela Hill (18-15 MMA, 13-15 UFC) competes in her 28th UFC strawweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.
Hill’s total fight time of 6:27:45 in UFC strawweight competition is most in divisional history.
Hill is one of two females in UFC history to make 25 or more octagon appearances. Andrade was first to accomplish the feat.
Hill’s 12 victories in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history.
Hill has landed 2,186 significant strikes in UFC competition, the third-most in company history behind Holloway (3,655) and Sean Strickland (2,197).
Hill’s five fight-night bonuses for UFC strawweight bouts are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Andrade (nine), Dern (seven) and Namajunas (six).
Hill’s 15 losses in UFC competition are most of any female in company history.
Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal
Pat Sabatini (20-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC) absorbs just 1.22 significant strikes per minute in UFC featherweight competition, the second-lowest rate in divisional history behind Rani Yahya (1.05).
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.
