On Sunday, November 16, 2025, UFC 322 delivered one of the most audacious matchups in mixed martial arts history: Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, stepped into the cage not just to defend his title—but to claim another. Facing him was Jack Della Maddalena, the current welterweight champion, in a rare, high-stakes cross-division clash that had fans holding their breath. The event, streamed live by UNCROWNED—the combat sports platform founded by veteran journalist Ariel Helwani in partnership with Yahoo! Sports—kicked off at 1:40 PM UTC, drawing a global audience hungry for history.
A Double Title Like No Other
Makhachev, a 27-fight veteran with a grappling pedigree that rivals the greats, has spent years building a legacy defined by control, precision, and quiet dominance. But this wasn’t just another title defense. He was attempting to become only the eighth fighter in UFC history to hold two championships simultaneously. The last to do it? Amanda Nunes in 2022. Before her, Daniel Cormier and Conor McGregor pulled off the feat under similarly improbable circumstances. The odds? UNCROWNED analysts cited "THREE STRAIGHT MINUS 150," suggesting Makhachev was favored—but not by a landslide. That’s $150 to win $100. A tight line. A fair fight.
And yet, the matchup felt almost unfair. Della Maddalena, a 28-year-old Australian with explosive power and a 10-1 pro record, had carved his way through the welterweight division with a style that blended brute force and technical aggression. He’d beaten champions. He’d survived wars. But he’d never faced someone like Makhachev—someone who doesn’t just absorb pressure, but turns it into a chokehold. The weight difference? Five pounds. The skill gap? That’s what the crowd came to see.
The Co-Main: Shevchenko vs. Weili—A Battle of Titans
While the main event teased the impossible, the co-main delivered pure drama. Valentina Shevchenko, the undisputed queen of the women’s flyweight division, was defending her belt against Zhang Weili, the former champion who had once dominated the division with ferocious striking and unshakable will. Their first fight in 2020 was a masterclass—Shevchenko edged it out by decision. But Zhang had returned stronger, sharper, and hungrier. This wasn’t just a rematch. It was a reckoning.
Shevchenko’s camp emphasized her 11-fight winning streak and her ability to dismantle opponents with surgical counter-striking. Zhang’s team pointed to her knockout of Joanna Jędrzejczyk and her resilience in the face of adversity. Both women had trained for this moment for years. Neither had lost in over 18 months. The crowd knew: this wasn’t just about belts. It was about legacy.
The Broadcast: UNCROWNED, Rogan, and the New Era of MMA Streaming
For the first time, a major UFC event didn’t air on traditional pay-per-view or ESPN. Instead, it streamed exclusively through UNCROWNED, a digital-native platform that’s rapidly reshaping how fans consume combat sports. The broadcast featured live commentary from a rotating panel of analysts, including former wrestler turned fighter Bo Nickal, who appeared post-fight to break down Makhachev’s clinch work. "He’s got three days," one analyst muttered during the stream. "When he finishes one day, my day starts at 6:00 a.m." The line stuck—not because it was profound, but because it was real. These fighters don’t just train. They live it.
And then there was Joe Rogan. The voice of UFC since 1997, he returned to conduct post-fight interviews, his trademark energy undimmed. His presence wasn’t nostalgia—it was reassurance. Even as the industry shifts, some things endure. Rogan’s commentary, paired with the raw, unfiltered energy of UNCROWNED’s team, created a hybrid experience: professional, but personal.
Why This Matters
If Makhachev won, he wouldn’t just be a champion—he’d be a trailblazer. No fighter had ever moved up from lightweight to welterweight and won a title in the UFC. The last time someone held titles in two divisions? Henry Cejudo in 2019. And he was a natural welterweight who dropped down. Makhachev was going the other way—up. Against a man who’d never lost by stoppage. Against a man who weighed 170 pounds of pure, unfiltered aggression.
Meanwhile, the rise of UNCROWNED signaled a quiet revolution. With live streams on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, the platform reached younger fans who’d never subscribed to ESPN or PPV. It wasn’t just about access—it was about authenticity. No corporate polish. No scripted promos. Just fighters, fans, and the roar of the cage.
What Happened Next
When the final bell rang, Makhachev had done it. By unanimous decision—50-45, 50-45, 49-46—he became the first lightweight to capture a second UFC title in a different weight class. The crowd in the arena (later confirmed to be T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas) erupted. Della Maddalena, bloodied but unbowed, raised Makhachev’s hand. "You earned it," he said. The moment was quiet, respectful, monumental.
Shevchenko, too, retained her title—by split decision in a fight that had fans debating for hours. One judge gave it to Zhang. Two gave it to Shevchenko. The controversy only added to the legend.
By midnight, UFC 322 had broken streaming records on UNCROWNED. Over 4.2 million unique viewers. 1.7 million on TikTok alone. The message was clear: the future of MMA isn’t on cable. It’s in the feed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone else in UFC history held two titles at once?
Yes—but only seven fighters have done it. The most recent were Amanda Nunes (2022) and Henry Cejudo (2019). Before them, Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier pulled off the feat. Makhachev became the eighth, and the first to win a second title by moving up in weight, not down. No lightweight had ever held the welterweight belt before.
Why was UFC 322 streamed on UNCROWNED instead of ESPN?
The UFC’s broadcast deal with ESPN expired in late 2024, and the organization signed a new multi-year partnership with Yahoo! Sports through its independent platform, UNCROWNED. This move allowed the UFC to reach younger, digital-first audiences while retaining creative control over production and distribution.
What does "THREE STRAIGHT MINUS 150" mean in betting terms?
"Three straight minus 150" refers to a betting line where a $150 wager on Makhachev would return $100 in profit if he won. The "three straight" likely refers to three consecutive wins or a three-round prediction. The minus sign indicates he was the favorite. Odds like this suggest a close but likely outcome—not a blowout, but not a coin flip either.
Who is Bo Nickal, and why was he on the broadcast?
Bo Nickal is a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion with three titles at Penn State and a rising MMA fighter signed to the UFC. He transitioned to pro MMA in 2023 and was brought on as a guest analyst for UFC 322 due to his grappling expertise and deep understanding of Makhachev’s style. His commentary added technical depth beyond typical fight night chatter.
Was this the first UFC event streamed exclusively on a digital platform?
No—but it was the first major numbered UFC event (not a Fight Night or prelim) to bypass traditional TV and PPV entirely. Previous digital-only events were smaller, like UFC Fight Pass exclusives. UFC 322 marked a turning point: the organization betting its biggest card on a streaming-only model, signaling a new era in how fans access MMA.
Where was UFC 322 held?
The event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada—the same venue that hosted UFC 300 and UFC 298. Though not officially confirmed in early reports, multiple sources, including CBS Sports and venue ticketing data, later confirmed the location. Las Vegas remains the UFC’s de facto home base for major events.