The UFC travels to the New York on Saturday night for UFC 322, which features two spectacular title fights that will determine the future of the promotion's welterweight and women's flyweight divisions, as Islam Makhachev and Zhang Weili both look to make history as they move up in weight.
We'll take a look at the best UFC 322 predictions for each fight on the main card, including PrizePicks MMA picks — where you can pick More or Less on fighter stats to win real money if you're right on every fight.
One of this year's most coveted UFC cards gets started tonight, November 15, live on ESPN+ PPV — with the main card set to start at 10 p.m. ET. Below, we'll take a look at the UFC 322 predictions for the main card, including title fights between Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev in the main event, and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang in the co-main event.
Welterweight champion Maddalena will attempt to successfully defend his belt for the first time against former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who's moved up in weight to chase history as a potential two-division champion.
In the co-main event, women's flyweight champion Shevchenko faces women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili in what promises to be an elite striking showcase, as Weili also looks to become the first two-division champion since Amanda Nunes.
The UFC 322 card features explosive action throughout the main card with welterweight contenders Sean Brady and Michael Morales, plus former champion Leon Edwards and surging KO artist Carlos Prates competing at 170 pounds.
Let's get into our UFC 322 predictions and picks for PrizePicks UFC tonight.
UFC 322 Fight Card Preview Tonight
Let us set the stage for what is a loaded main card for UFC 322 tonight — get ready for some high-level MMA action.
Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) puts his welterweight title on the line against Islam Makhachev in a high-stakes main event. Makhachev (27-1) makes the long-awaited move up in weight after cleaning out the lightweight division to make history as the next two-division champion, but Della Maddalena’s striking and newfound takedown defense have him entering with a ton of confidence.
The co-main event showcases Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) defending her women’s flyweight title an eighth time against Zhang Weili (26-3). Shevchenko brings experience and technical mastery, but Weili’s pressure and volume make this the closest fight on the main card.
Rising stars Sean Brady (18-1) and Michael Morales (18-0) lock horns in a bout full of welterweight implications. Brady’s grappling could be the difference, although Morales’ power leaves him a live underdog in a battle that could steal the show.
Former champ Leon Edwards (22-5, 1NC) tries to reassert himself among contenders as he faces Carlos Prates (22-7). Edwards has the edge in fight IQ and experience, but Prates’ pressure and KO power make for a very interesting matchup at 170 pounds.
Benoît Saint Denis (15-3, 1NC) squares off with veteran Beneil Dariush (23-6-1) in a lightweight thriller set to open the card. Saint Denis’ relentless pace could give Dariush trouble, yet Dariush’s jiu-jitsu and composure remain major equalizers on the ground.
UFC 322 Predictions & PrizePicks Picks
Here are our expert UFC 322 predictions and picks. All picks are available via PrizePicks UFC board.
Maddalena vs. Makhachev Prediction for UFC 322
UFC 322 Pick: Maddalena + Makhachev – 106.5 Significant Strikes (Combo)
- Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has dubbed Jack Della Maddalena the best boxer in the UFC.
- Islam Makhachev has some of the most underrated striking in the UFC — even outstriking former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier 71-51 at distance.
- JDM lands a staggering 6.84 significant strikes per minute/
- Maddalena has landed at least 67 significant strikes in his last four fights and 178 in his only five-round fight.
- In Makhachev’s three fights that have gone past the third round, he’s landed at least 57 significant strikes.
- In two of those that went five rounds, Makhachev and his opponent combine for at least 127+ significant strikes.
- The welterweight champion has exceeded 106.5 combined significant strikes in four out of his last nine fights.
Shevchenko vs. Zhang Prediction for UFC 322
UFC 322 Pick: Shevchenko + Zhang – 140.5 Significant Strikes (Combo)
- Valentina Shevchenko is a former kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion with a professional record of 35-3.
- Zhang Weili comes into this matchup looking to become only the second women’s MMA fighter to become a double champ in UFC history.
- “Bullet” is landing 3.14 and throwing 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
- The flyweight champion has exceeded 138.5 significant strikes combined in three out of her last four fights.
- Zhang is landing 5.15 significant strikes per minute and landing 53% of her strikes.
- The former strawweight champion has landed 322 significant strikes (107.3 average) in her last three fights.
Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales Prediction for UFC 322
UFC 322 Pick: Sean Brady – 2.5 Takedowns
- Sean Brady has been training in Jiu-Jitsu for over 17 years and is a Renzo Gracie BJJ black belt.
- The Philadelphia native has been a dominant force in the welterweight division with a 7-1 UFC record with four of those seven wins coming by submission.
- Brady lands 3.62 and attempts 6.70 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- The eight-fight veteran has landed 5+ takedowns in four out of his last five fights.
- The UFC’s No. 1 ranked welterweight contender has exceeded 2.5 takedowns in five out of his eight UFC fights.
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates Prediction for UFC 322
UFC 322 Pick: Edwards vs. Prates – 14.25 Minutes Fight Time
- Leon Edwards has had a ton of fight time in the UFC with 19 fights inside the octagon and 13 of those fights going the distance.
- “Rocky” has 10 finishes (7 KO/TKO/3 SUB) in his 22 professional victories.
- Carlos Prates has six fights in the UFC with only one of those fights seeing a third round.
- The Fighting Nerd has the most knockouts (5) in the welterweight division since coming into the UFC in 2023 — he is the only fighter to KO both Geoff Neal and Li Jingliang.
- In 29 professional fights, the Brazilian has 20 finishes (17 KO/TKO/3 SUB)
Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis Prediction for UFC 322
UFC 322 Pick: Dariush vs. Saint-Denis – 9.25 Minutes Fight Time
- Beneil Dariush is a 24-fight veteran in the UFC with 14 of those fights ending inside the distance.
- “Benny” has two out of his last three fights ending in the first round.
- The longtime UFC veteran has been knocked out in the first round in back-to-back fights prior to his last fight with Renato Moicano.
- Benoit Saint-Denis has seen the judges’ scorecards once in his 10 UFC fights.
- Eight of “God of War’s” 10 UFC fights have finished before nine minutes have elapsed.
Make UFC 322 Predictions & Picks on PrizePicks
UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev is set to be a thrilling fight card on Saturday, with two title fights lined up, plus plenty of important fights on the main card. Maddalena attempts to defend his undisputed title for the first time, meanwhile Makhachev looks to finally become the undisputed welterweight champion.
The main card gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, broadcasting live from Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY.
Before you watch the fights, you’re going to want to lock in your UFC picks on PrizePicks – it’s the simplest way to win real money if yor predictions are right on UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev.
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