TLDR
- Islam Makhachev praised Sean Brady’s wrestling style and predicted Brady will beat Michael Morales at UFC 322 if in good shape
- Makhachev faces Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title in the UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden
- Sean Brady fights Michael Morales two bouts before the main event in a key welterweight matchup
- Makhachev called Brady “very tough” and said a potential fight between them would be hard due to similar wrestling styles
- After Della Maddalena, Makhachev wants to fight Kamaru Usman, citing Usman’s record for most welterweight title defenses
Islam Makhachev has shared his thoughts on several welterweight fighters ahead of his UFC 322 title challenge this Saturday. The lightweight star spoke about potential future matchups during an appearance on Adin Ross’ live stream.
Makhachev currently holds a 27-1 record in MMA with a 16-1 UFC record. He challenges welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in the main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event airs on pay-per-view, ESPNews, Disney+, FX, and ESPN+.
The Russian fighter expressed respect for Sean Brady, who competes earlier on the same card. Brady takes on undefeated Michael Morales in a welterweight bout on the main card. This fight could determine the next top contender in the division.
“I like Sean Brady. I like his style,” Makhachev said during the stream. “He’s very tough. If we meet one day, I know it’s going to be a hard fight.”
Makhachev explained why he views Brady as a difficult opponent. He pointed to their similar approaches to fighting. Both fighters rely heavily on wrestling and pressure.
Islam Makhachev shows respect to Sean Brady saying their styles are similar and it would be a tough fight 💥👊
"I like Sean Brady, his style. If we meet one day, I know it’s gonna be a hard fight. We have almost similar styles. If he’s in good shape [for UFC322], he’s gonna win… pic.twitter.com/cS6FKTyur7
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 11, 2025
“We have almost similar styles with wrestling,” Makhachev noted. “He has good pressure.”
Brady’s Recent Success and Title Path
Sean Brady enters UFC 322 with an 18-1 MMA record and 8-1 UFC record. His most recent victory came against former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Brady dominated Edwards before securing a submission finish.
Morales brings an unbeaten 18-0 record to the fight with a 6-0 UFC record. He has impressed fans and analysts by defeating every opponent the UFC has matched him against. A win for Brady over Morales would strengthen his case for a title shot.
Makhachev predicted the outcome of the Brady-Morales fight. He believes Brady will win if he arrives in proper condition. “If he’s in good shape, he’s going to win,” Makhachev said.
The lightweight contender also revealed his plans beyond Della Maddalena. Makhachev stated he wants to face Kamaru Usman next if he wins the welterweight title. Usman previously held the welterweight championship for an extended period.
LAST TIME OUT 🔙
Sean Brady became the first man to finish Leon Edwards at #UFCLondon 🤯#UFC322 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/pAx47QWYNE
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 12, 2025
Makhachev’s Post-Title Plans
“After Jack, I think Kamaru Usman,” Makhachev explained. “He has the most title defenses in the welterweight division, and now he’s in a good position.”
Della Maddalena holds an 18-2 MMA record and a perfect 8-0 UFC record. He currently sits at the top of the welterweight division as champion. The Australian fighter has not lost inside the octagon since joining the promotion.
UFC 322 takes place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The Brady versus Morales fight occurs two bouts before the main event. Both fights carry major implications for the welterweight division’s future.
