Islam Makhachev secured his place in UFC history with a comprehensive victory over Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. The Russian fighter earned a unanimous decision win to capture the UFC welterweight championship, becoming the eleventh fighter to hold titles in two different weight classes.
Makhachev demonstrated exceptional grappling skills throughout the five-round contest, controlling his Australian opponent from start to finish. All three judges scored the bout 50-45 in favour of the new champion, reflecting his complete dominance across all rounds.
The 34-year-old implemented a perfect game plan against the younger Australian fighter. Makhachev began by damaging Della Maddalena’s lead leg with calculated calf kicks before transitioning to his signature wrestling attack.
Once the fight reached the mat, Makhachev maintained relentless pressure on his opponent. Della Maddalena struggled throughout the contest, spending extended periods defending against submission attempts while unable to mount any significant offence.
Following his victory, Makhachev acknowledged the predictability of his approach while emphasising its effectiveness. “This is my plan. It’s not a secret, all my opponents know this, and nobody can stop it,” the new champion stated in his post-fight interview.
LEGACY CONFIRMED 🏆🏆@MAKHACHEVMMA tied Anderson Silva last night with his 16th straight win for the longest win streak in UFC history 👏
[ #VeChain #UFC322 ] pic.twitter.com/7jjvMfX5bc
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025The Russian fighter also proposed an unusual location for his first title defence, suggesting the UFC consider hosting an event on the White House lawn in 2026. This victory extends Makhachev’s winning streak to sixteen consecutive UFC appearances.
Shevchenko Successfully Defends Flyweight Crown
In the evening’s co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko delivered another dominant performance to retain her UFC flyweight championship. The 37-year-old from Kyrgyzstan outpointed her challenger, Zhang Weili, in a tactical battle that showcased her complete mastery of martial arts.
Shevchenko implemented a diverse attack that included sharp striking and well-timed takedowns. She consistently damaged her Chinese opponent with punishing body kicks and demonstrated superior control whenever the fight went to the ground.
Read: Khabib: Jack Della Maddalena Poses Bigger Threat to Islam Makhachev Than Ilia Topuria
Following her successful title defence, Shevchenko described her preparation for the bout as “the hardest challenge in my life.” The champion performed her traditional victory dance in the octagon before explaining her philosophical approach to fighting.
“This is what I call the art of martial arts,” Shevchenko stated. “When they are here in front of me, they cannot do anything.” Her victory marked another successful defence in her dominant flyweight reign, with all judges scoring every round in her favour.
