On a historic night at Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev showed why he is not just a champion, but a complete combat system. Facing the 77 kg king, Jack Della Maddalena, the Dagestani moved up a weight class for a second title—and the result was decisive: five rounds of total domination and a unanimous decision victory.
Judges scored it 50-45 × 3. With nearly 20 minutes of total control, Makhachev becomes the 11th double champion in UFC history.
How Makhachev Controlled the Fight
Round 1: Establishing dominance
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Accepted a stand-up exchange to show confidence
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Sudden level change with a single leg
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Clean takedown and immediate pressure
The strategy was clear: take mental and physical control from the very beginning.
Round 2: Tactical ground mastery
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Another takedown
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Work in dominant position
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Restriction of all escape space
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Testing Jack’s patience
Here lies the difference: Makhachev’s strength is in the system, not in a single strike.
Round 3: Stand-up variation and ground control
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Precise low kicks
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Smooth transitions
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Third takedown
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Gradual fatigue of Della Maddalena
The Australian starts to realize: “I have no answers.”
Round 4: Repetitive yet strategic control
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Another takedown
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Dominant ground control
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Psychological and physical exhaustion for the opponent
The fight is being won as much mentally as technically.
"Donald Trump, open the White House… I’m coming!" 😭😭😭😭
"دونالد ترامب، افتح البيت الأبيض… أنا قادم!" 😭😭😭😭#UFC322 pic.twitter.com/CzADDI2dn8
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) November 16, 2025
Round 5: Conclusion without risk
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Same tactical pattern
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Continuous control
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No mistakes, no risk
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Jack tries everything but fails
Makhachev exits the Octagon fully in command, dictating the pace of every exchange.
The legend Islam Makhachev shines with both belts! 🔥🏆🏆
الأسطورة إسلام ماخشيف يتألق مع الحزامين! 🔥🏆🏆#UFC322 pic.twitter.com/FiVQrncFGn
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) November 16, 2025
Analysis: What This Victory Means
1. Islam Makhachev: Current P4P King?
The numbers speak for themselves:
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Nearly 20 minutes of control
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Victory over a champion from a higher weight class
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Performance on MMA’s grandest stage
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Under immense media and public pressure
Can he be considered the most complete and dominant fighter in the world today?
2. A New Era of Champions?
Makhachev embodies:
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Discipline
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Calculation
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Strategy
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Intelligence
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Energy management
Is this a shift in the archetype of the UFC champion?
3. Jack Della Maddalena: Overhyped?
Key question:
Did the UFC amplify JDM’s profile prematurely, or is Makhachev simply in a league of his own?
4. Dagestani Supremacy
For years, fighters from Dagestan have dominated:
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Islam Makhachev
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Khabib Nurmagomedov
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Other elite Dagestani talents
Is the issue Western fighters’ preparation, or the unmatched training methods and mindset of Dagestani camps?
5. What’s Next?
Islam has opened up multiple pathways:
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Defend both titles
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Move to a third weight class?
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Legendary matchups against Leon Edwards or Shavkat Rakhmonov
Could we be witnessing the first-ever UFC triple champion?
Open Questions for Discussion
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Is Islam Makhachev the current #1 P4P fighter?
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Who should he face next?
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Is Dagestani dominance cultural, genetic, or methodological?
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Was Jack Della Maddalena truly prepared for this challenge?
