TLDR
- Islam Makhachev weighed in at exactly 170lbs for his welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322
- Makhachev spent 10 months building muscle mass and used creatine for the first time in his career
- Jack Della Maddalena initially weighed 170.4lbs but made weight at 169.8lbs after removing his clothes
- The fight is scheduled for Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City
- Both fighters enter the bout on long winning streaks, with Della Maddalena winning 18 straight and Makhachev winning 15 consecutive fights
Islam Makhachev successfully made weight for his welterweight debut at UFC 322, tipping the scales at exactly 170 pounds. The former lightweight champion has been preparing for this move up in weight for the past 10 months.
Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Della Maddalena won the belt in May by defeating Belal Muhammad.
The 34-year-old Dagestani fighter revealed a much larger physique at Friday’s official weigh-ins. His transformation has been the result of extensive weight room training and increased calorie intake.
Makhachev told ESPN he used creatine for the first time in his career as part of his weight gain strategy. He takes the supplement almost daily after training sessions.
“It’s the first supplement where I actually see real changes,” Makhachev said. “It helps with recovery, helps gain weight, gives strength.”
The fighter increased his weight from 82-83 kilograms to 87 kilograms during his preparation. He aims to weigh around 83 kilograms during fight week.
Weight Cut Concerns
Della Maddalena faced a brief scare during weigh-ins when he initially stepped on the scale at 170.4 pounds. The Australian champion was wearing shorts and underwear at the time.
The Champ is on weight 😤
Jack Della Maddalena officially weighs in at 169.8lbs!
[ #VeChain #UFC322 | TOMORROW | 10pmET LIVE on @ESPN PPV ] pic.twitter.com/Xw3L226ZyY
— UFC (@ufc) November 14, 2025
UFC officials brought out a curtain for privacy. Della Maddalena stripped completely and weighed in at 169.8 pounds, making the fight official.
The 29-year-old champion has never missed weight for the welterweight division before. Had he failed to make the 170-pound limit, he would have been stripped of his title.
Makhachev previously held the lightweight championship and broke the record for most successful title defenses at 155 pounds. He secured his fourth consecutive defense by submitting Renato Moicano in January before relinquishing the belt.
The Russian fighter stated he would not challenge Muhammad for the welterweight title due to their training partnership. Muhammad’s loss to Della Maddalena opened the opportunity for Makhachev to move up in weight.
Championship Streaks
Both fighters bring impressive winning streaks into Saturday’s main event. Della Maddalena has won 18 consecutive fights since 2016 after losing his first two professional bouts.
Makhachev has not lost a fight in 10 years. His current winning streak stands at 15 fights, with his only professional loss occurring a decade ago.
Makhachev said he expects better recovery at welterweight compared to lightweight. He previously felt he only recovered 60-70 percent between weigh-ins and fight night at 155 pounds.
🚨| 27 of the 28 fighters scheduled to compete at #UFC322 successfully made weight Friday morning in New York.⚖️✅
Beneil Dariush weighed in at 157.2 lbs, coming in 1.2 pounds over the lightweight limit. ❌
His bout with Benoit Saint Denis will proceed as planned, but Dariush… pic.twitter.com/na7RWMJ1qH
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 14, 2025
The former lightweight champion believes the easier weight cut will benefit him in the championship rounds. He no longer needs to cut as much weight in the 30 hours between weigh-ins and the fight.
The UFC 322 main event will take place Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Makhachev is attempting to become a two-division champion.
