While no UFC events take place this week, MMA fans still bring excitement with Dana White’s recent announcements.
The UFC community were alerted on Thursday that the President was ready to share some big fight news.
The announcements centred on the Abu Dhabi card, as a co-headliner had yet to be confirmed.
Additionally, UFC 322, which is scheduled to take place at MSG, has three fights announced for a potential stacked PPV event.
UFC 322 Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev
It was the Welterweight title bout we were expecting, and it takes place on the grandest stage of New York.
Della Maddalena became the King of the 170-pound division after defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC 315.
The Australian is on an 18-fight win streak, only losing his first two MMA bouts of his career.
With 14 finishes, including 12 KO/TKO wins, the Welterweight Champion will prove to be a test for his threatening opponent.
Makhachev earned the most UFC Lightweight title wins (5) after stopping Renato Moicano by first-round submission at UFC 311.
The Dagestan fighter is on a 15-fight win streak in the UFC, having defeated notable names such as Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Alexander Volkanovski.
With 27 career triumphs, the Russian has stopped 18 of his opponents, five by KO/TKO and 13 by submission, as he often stops a battle.
It’s an incredible striker taking on an impressive grappler in what can only be described as a super fight.
UFC 322 Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili
Speaking of super fights, the top two women’s pound-for-pound fighters go face-to-face for the Flyweight title in MSG.
Shevchenko made a successful title defence in her second reign as champion after defeating Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision at UFC 315.
The Kyrgyzstan mixed martial artist has an impressive record, having defeated former champions such as Holly Holm, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade, and Alexa Grasso.
With 15 finishes out of 25 victories, ‘Bullet’ has proven she is as tough as they come in the 125-pound division.
Weili defended her Strawweight title for a third time in her second reign after beating Tatiana Suarez by unanimous decision at UFC 312.
The Chinese fighter has earned this opportunity after consistently demonstrating dominance at 115 pounds.
‘Magnum’ has 19 stoppage triumphs out of 26 career wins, making her a massive problem in Women’s MMA.
Two of the greatest clashes in New York in what has to be the most exciting female fight in years.
UFC 322: Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates
An unpredictable battle at 170 pounds, as this fight has been deemed a matchup between a former champion and a future champion.
Edwards suffered his second consecutive defeat after a fourth-round submission loss to Sean Brady at UFC London.
‘Rocky’ is well-known for his title-winning knockout at UFC 278 against Kamaru Usman, but has beaten names such as Nate Diaz and Rafael dos Anjos.
The Englishman is fighting for redemption as he hopes to find his way back into a title conversation.
Prates just redeemed himself after a crazy first-round knockout win against Geoff Neal at UFC 319.
‘The Nightmare’ has only had six fights in the UFC and is already in the top 10 of the Welterweight rankings.
The Brazilian rarely goes the distance, stopping 20 of his 22 opponents with 17 ending by KO/TKO.
The Fighting Nerds mixed martial artist has a great opportunity to head into title contention, but the former champion will try to deny that from happening.
UFC 321 Co-Main Event: Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern
With Weili vacating the Strawweight belt, two Brazilians are prepared to become the new Queen of the 155-pound division.
Jandiroba extended her win streak to five after defeating Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision at UFC 314.
‘Carcara’ is a significant submission threat, having choked or tapped 14 of her 23 career wins.
The #1 contender has faced her opponent before, losing at UFC 256, but she aims to claim vengeance in her most important fight.
Dern last fought at UFC Vegas 101, submitting Amanda Ribas in round three to go on a two-fight win streak.
The Phoenix-born fighter has been on a rocky journey with wins and losses against top contenders of the division.
Just like her opponent, the #5 contender is a submission artist, earning eight victories from tapping people out.
While her recent record will make her an underdog in this title bout, she can do the unthinkable and repeat history.
UFC 321: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
An intriguing Bantamweight bout which seems to have ‘title eliminator’ written all over it.
Nurmagomedov was unsuccessful on his quest for UFC gold after a decision defeat to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.
The 29-year-old still has plenty of time to chase the champion, having only fought seven times in the UFC, which includes a win over Cory Sandhagen.
Now that he is no longer undefeated, the pressure may be relieved for the #2 contender as he hopes to succeed in Abu Dhabi before claiming revenge.
Bautista increased his triumphant streak to eight after beating debutant Patchy Mix by unanimous decision at UFC 316.
The Nevada-born fighter has earned this chance of title contention, especially after credible wins against Ricky Simon and Jose Aldo.
The #8 contender has the majority of his victories by stoppage, earning three KO/TKO wins and six submissions.
Two fighters eager to become champions will put on their best possible performance in Abu Dhabi.
