Although Islam Makhachev and Zhang Weili no longer officially hold titles in their weight divisions, their upcoming bouts remain significant. Makhachev is set to face off against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, while Zhang Weili prepares to challenge flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. These matchups are being billed as champion-versus-champion superfights, adding immense intrigue to UFC 322 scheduled for Saturday night.

In a candid moment with the press, Makhachev expressed the gravity of the occasion. “This is the biggest fight in my life, the biggest test,” he stated. “I’m here in New York, at Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be my hardest test, but I’m ready.”

Hailing from the famed MMA hub of Dagestan, Russia, Makhachev has built an impressive 27-1 record, including 18 finishes. His current 15-fight winning streak has decisively dominated the lightweight category, culminating in a historic four consecutive title defenses at 155 pounds, three of which ended in finishes.

Makhachev (27-1, 18 finishes), from the Russian MMA hotbed of Dagestan, rides a 15-fight win streak that took a wrecking ball to the lightweight division, capped by a 155-pound record four consecutive title defenses — three in a row via finish.