TLDR
- Islam Makhachev can tie Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 consecutive wins at UFC 322
- Makhachev challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at Madison Square Garden on Saturday
- Kamaru Usman holds the second-place record with 15 consecutive wins before his 2023 knockout loss
- Della Maddalena has been training with Alexander Volkanovski and BJJ specialist Craig Jones for the fight
- Makhachev has gained muscle mass and plans to use striking against Della Maddalena
Islam Makhachev stands on the edge of UFC history this Saturday at UFC 322. The former lightweight champion fights Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at Madison Square Garden. A victory would tie Anderson Silva’s long-standing record of 16 consecutive UFC wins.
The record has stood since 2012 when Silva’s streak ended. Only one fighter has come close since then. Kamaru Usman reached 15 consecutive wins before Leon Edwards knocked him out at UFC 278 in August 2023.
Makhachev currently holds a 27-1 MMA record and 16-1 UFC record. He matches Usman’s 15-fight winning streak. Della Maddalena enters the fight with an 18-2 MMA record and an 8-0 UFC record.
The event airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view with additional coverage on ESPNews, Disney+, FX, and ESPN+. The main card features the welterweight title bout as the headlining fight. Madison Square Garden will host the event in New York.
Usman shared his thoughts on the pressure of chasing records. He explained that constant questions about the streak made him think about it more. The former champion said winning 15 straight UFC fights is already impressive.
“To go in there and win 15 in a row is already impressive, but 16 and tie the record? That’s extremely impressive,” Usman told MMA Junkie. He knows firsthand how difficult maintaining such a streak can be. Usman was ahead on the scorecards at UFC 278 before the knockout ended his run.
⚡️Kamaru Usman reacts to JDM training with Craig Jones and Volk abead of his fight with Makhachev
"We saw when [Dricus Du Plessis] was preparing for Khamzat Chimaev and he had 3 guys wrestle him and he had his ways with them.
You don’t know until you get in that fight and… pic.twitter.com/MI7FpMCBRh
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 10, 2025
Training Camp Preparations
Della Maddalena prepared for this challenge with help from experienced fighters. He trained with Alexander Volkanovski, who fought Makhachev twice before. The Australian champion believes Volkanovski’s insights will prove valuable.
The welterweight titleholder also worked with BJJ master Craig Jones. His camp focused on grappling transitions and defensive wrestling techniques. These preparations aim to counter Makhachev’s wrestling-heavy style.
Usman expressed doubt about training camp success translating to fight night. He referenced Dricus Du Plessis’s preparation for Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis had success against training partners but lost the actual fight.
Chimaev controlled Du Plessis for over 21 minutes and won by unanimous decision. The South African fighter struggled to implement his training camp strategies. Usman believes similar challenges could face Della Maddalena.
Fight Strategy and Physical Changes
Makhachev has shown interest in striking with his opponents. The Dagestani fighter believes he can trade punches with Della Maddalena. He has demonstrated knockout power in previous bouts.
The former lightweight champion gained muscle mass for the welterweight division. This physical change aims to improve his strength at the higher weight class. The added size could help him control exchanges and blend striking with wrestling.
Makhachev typically focuses on finishing fights quickly. His style differs slightly from pure wrestlers who seek control. The combination of striking and grappling makes him a well-rounded threat.
Usman finds himself in a conflicted position about the fight. He wants Makhachev to win to set up a potential championship fight in 2026. However, a Makhachev victory would push Usman further down the consecutive wins list.
Islam Makhachev plans to win the welterweight title at UFC 322 and wants to defend it more times than Kamaru Usman ever did 😱 🏆 #UFC322 #MMA pic.twitter.com/6yoTlHSkxv
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) November 12, 2025
The betting odds favor Makhachev despite Della Maddalena holding the title. The Australian champion enters as the clear underdog. He remains confident about securing a finish at Madison Square Garden.
The UFC 322 main event takes place Saturday night. Makhachev fights for his place in UFC history books. Della Maddalena defends his welterweight title for the first time.
