On paper, UFC 322 promises to be the biggest event of 2025, headlined by two blockbusters.
The event features a welterweight title bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, as well as a women's flyweight title bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili in the co-main event.
Della Maddalena became the organization's new undisputed 170-pound champion in May when he defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, while longtime 155-pound champion Makhachev left the lightweight title earlier this year to capture the title in the second weight class.
Shevchenko is coming off her eighth career title defense when she defeated Manon Fioro six months ago. Shevchenko is the top women's fighter in the UFC's 125-pound division and the No. 1 ranked fighter on the UFC's women's roster in the weight class, while two-time strawweight champion Zhang is the No. 2 female fighter in the weight class. Zhang has ruled the 115-pound division for several years and, like Makhachev, vacated her title to move up to flyweight and compete for a second belt.
Here's what you need to know ahead of UFC 322's action-packed fight week:
When and where does this happen? UFC 322 takes place this Saturday, November 15th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This will be the organization's ninth event at this famous location since 2016. Sportsnet's pre-card coverage begins at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, and the main pay-per-view card begins at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT. Qualifiers will be broadcast on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+. The main card can be purchased through Sportsnet+.
What do the odds say? According to BetMGM odds, Makhachev could become the new champion. He is about a -275 favorite ahead of Della Maddalena, who is listed as a +220 underdog a few days before the tournament. Meanwhile, Shevchenko is the slight favorite to defend his title. She is -140 compared to Zhang's +115.
Who else is on the map? In addition to the expected main event, the main card features two more key welterweight matches. No. 2 ranked contender Sean Brady faces No. 8 Michael Morales in a grappler-striker style bout, while former champion Leon Edwards looks to snap a two-fight losing streak when he faces rising knockout artist Carlos Rights. Ranked lightweights Beneil Dariush and Benoit St. Denis begin the main card, with St. Denis looking to take Dariush's place in the top ten at 155 pounds.
Middleweight is the focus of the preliminary card, with former collegiate wrestling star Bo Nickal facing multi-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira and Roman Kopylov facing Gregory Rodriguez in a potential fight of the night contender. Additionally, Erin Blanchfield and Tracy Cortez will look to stay in the win column and move one step closer to a women's flyweight title shot.
Projected fight order for UFC 322 (subject to change):
— Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
— Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili
— Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
— Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Rights
— Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit St. Denis
— Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
— Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodriguez
— Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
— Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon
— Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
— Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal
–Angela Hill vs. Fatima Cline
— Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico
— Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Matheus Camilo
What's on the fight week schedule?
Sportsnet's Aaron Bronsteter and Arden Zwelling, as well as former UFC fighter Diana Belbita, are in New York covering the action throughout the week, so stay tuned to Sportsnet.ca for one-on-one fighter interviews and other video and written content.
Media Day, November 12: Official media events begin Wednesday as participating athletes speak to assembled reporters.
Press conference before the fight, November 13: All 10 main UFC 322 athletes will compete on Thursday at the MSG Theater. The event is open to the public and will be available to stream live on Sportsnet+ starting at approximately 5:00 pm ET/2:00 pm PT.
Official weigh-in, November 14: On Friday morning, the fighters will go to the scales where they will try to make weight. All non-title fights will be awarded one pound, but Della Maddalena, Makhachev, Shevchenko and Zhang will not receive an additional pound. Della Maddalena and Makhachev must weigh no heavier than 170 pounds for their title fight to be official, and Shevchenko and Zhang must weigh no heavier than 125 pounds.
Ceremonial weigh-in, November 14: Later in the day on Friday, after the athletes begin the rehydration process, the fighters will take on their opponents at the MSG Theater ahead of UFC 322. Live coverage will be available on Sportsnet+ starting at approximately 5:00 pm ET/2:00 pm PT.
Fights, November 15: Preliminary live coverage of the card from Madison Square Garden will begin on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+ at approximately 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT, with the main pay-per-view card beginning at 10:00 pm ET/7:00 pm PT.
Post-fight press conference, November 15: Following the event, fans can tune in to Sportsnet+ to see a selection of the winning fighters, while UFC President Dana White will answer questions from the assembled media.
