NFL
By: Courtey Walsh
The Octagon is set to be under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden as UFC 322 hits New York City this Saturday, November 15, 2025. Fans, early prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by prelims at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNews and ESPN+, with the main card setting off at 10 p.m. ET exclusively on ESPN+ PPV. This card should provide some explosive matches for UFC fans worldwide.
UFC 322 promises a blockbuster lineup headlined by two generational super fights that could redefine divisions. In the main event, welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) puts his belt on the line against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev (27-1), who vacated his 155-pound throne to chase dual-division dreams. Della Maddalena, the undefeated Aussie phenom with eight straight UFC wins, including a brutal finish of Belal Muhammad, faces his sternest test yet against Makhachev. The co-main event is pure fire: women’s flyweight titlist Valentina Shevchenko (24-4) defends against strawweight queen Zhang Weili (26-3), who jumps up to 125 pounds, aiming for history as a two-division champ. Shevchenko’s technical mastery vs Zhang’s raw power in what could be the fight of the year. The main card showcases Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates in welterweight action, Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales, and Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Beneil Dariush – a feast of elite talent primed for knockouts and submissions. Lower down, Rodolfo Vieira battles Bo Nickal in a grappling showdown, while the prelims feature rising stars like Malcolm Wellmaker in a short-notice scrap. This 14-fight card isn’t just entertainment; it’s a dope mix fans want, some would say a shift in the UFC landscape, blending champions’ legacies with hungry contenders.
Amid the title chaos, one fighter quietly building her empire is Tracy Cortez, the No. 8-ranked flyweight warrior, stepping into the spotlight on this massive stage. At 31, Cortez (12-2) carries the weight of her late brother Jose’s UFC dreams, fueling a relentless drive that saw her snap an 11-fight win streak with a setback to Rose Namajunas before rebounding via unanimous decision over Viviane Araujo at UFC 317. Now, she faces a pivotal rematch against Erin Blanchfield (13-2), the No. 4 contender hungry for revenge after Cortez’s controversial 2019 Invicta split-decision upset. Training out of Fight Ready in Arizona alongside Henry Cejudo, Cortez’s passion for her Mexican heritage, grit with elite wrestling, and crisp boxing make her a nightmare on the feet and ground. This bout isn’t just personal – it’s a title eliminator in disguise. A statement win at MSG could vault her into 2026 championship contention, proving the tattoo on her arm (“My Time Is Now”) isn’t just ink, but destiny. Cortez embodies resilience, turning tragedy into triumph, and Saturday night could be her coronation. She is my favorite female fighter in the game right now and could silence a LOT of people with this bout.
After UFC 322 leaves Madison Square Garden, the road ahead is HOT. UFC fans, gear up for UFC 323 on December 7, 2025, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas – the self-proclaimed fight capital of the world. Headlined by a featherweight title clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria in a heated rematch, expect a stacked card dripping with Vegas flair, including potential bantamweight fireworks and rising welterweight wars. Prelims start at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, main card at 10 p.m. ET on PPV. It’s the perfect post-322, blending redemption arcs and knockout artistry. Snag those tickets early – Sin City’s Octagon always sells out fast. The UFC train never stops; all aboard for more mayhem!
