Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena grapples with Russia’s Islam Makhachev during the first round of a welterweight title bout at the UFC 322 mixed martial arts event, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NEW YORK — Islam Makhachev needed a unanimous decision to defeat Jack Della Maddalena to win the 170-pound championship and tie the UFC record of 16 straight victories to cap a pair of lackluster title fights on Saturday night at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden.

Makhachev — never seriously tested in the lopsided bout — proved to be the better grappler and used repeated takedowns to neutralize Della Maddalena’s offense and go on to win 50-45 on all three cards.

Makhachev (28-1) surrendered his lightweight title earlier this year after four straight title defenses

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