The Ringside Report MMA Crew Witnessed Greatness—And Ate Some Humble Pie in the Process
Madison Square Garden played host to one of the most dominant championship performances in recent UFC history on Saturday night, as Islam Makhachev systematically dismantled Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion. The Dagestani superstar delivered a 50-45 shutout on all three judges’ scorecards, tying Anderson Silva’s legendary 16-fight UFC winning streak in the process.
For the Ringside Report MMA crew—Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia—the night was equal parts humbling and awe-inspiring. Dave and Fred had boldly predicted Jack Della Maddalena would hand Islam his first loss, betting on the Australian’s size, power, and improved grappling defense to end the Dagestani dominance. They were spectacularly wrong, and they had the intellectual honesty to admit it in real time.
LEGACY CONFIRMED 🏆🏆@MAKHACHEVMMA tied Anderson Silva last night with his 16th straight win for the longest win streak in UFC history 👏
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025
[ #VeChain #UFC322 ] pic.twitter.com/7jjvMfX5bc
“Islam is so good,” Dave declared during the watch-along, his pre-fight confidence completely shattered by the second round. “I’m blown away, man. Yeah, it’s scary. It’s like, you know, he’s good, but then every time he fights, he shows you that he’s levels better than you even thought he was.”
The Bold Prediction That Went Down in Flames
Before the fight, Dave Simon made what he considered a calculated upset pick. Jack Della Maddalena had impressed him with his dominant victory over Belal Muhammad, showcasing improved takedown defense and devastating knockout power. The Australian champion was five years younger, naturally bigger at 170 pounds, and had proven he could handle elite wrestlers.
“I took Jack Della, shocking a lot of people on Thursday night,” Dave said during the pre-show, laying out his reasoning with conviction.
Fred Garcia had aligned with Dave’s thinking: “I kind of like your JDM pick. I think it could go either way, but I liked how JDM beat Belal. I didn’t feel like that was a close fight. JDM dominated pretty much everything in that fight, and Belal is a good wrestler, so I think Jack maybe could deal with Islam’s wrestling. Islam’s also going up in weight, so is Jack gonna be a bigger guy to toss around? Will he be able to toss him around like he wants? So I’m going with JDM.”
AJ D’Alesio remained the voice of caution, picking Islam to continue his dominance. As it turns out, AJ was the wise one.
From the opening bell, Islam Makhachev showed why he’s considered the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. His level changes were lightning-fast, his pressure was suffocating, and his ground control was absolutely elite.
Round-by-Round Domination: Islam’s Masterclass
The Takedown Artist at Work
Islam wasted no time establishing his game plan. Within the first minute, he’d already secured a takedown, and the pattern was set for the entire fight. Jack Della Maddalena, despite his improved wrestling credentials and natural size advantage, had no answers.
“Islam is just dominating,” Dave observed as early as the second round. “Take down, punish, pressure.”
What made Islam’s performance particularly impressive was his aggression in seeking finishes. Unlike some wrestlers who are content to lay and pray, the Dagestani champion was constantly hunting for submissions—darce chokes, kimuras, armlocks—while landing devastating ground-and-pound.
“This is what I appreciate about Islam,” Dave noted during the third round. “He’s got control and he’s trying to pass. He’s trying to mount, he’s trying to get the finish.”
AJ D’Alesio, with his grappling expertise, provided technical insight into just how overwhelming Islam’s pressure was: “People don’t realize the levels of pressure that’s being applied. Especially on top, most people would tap out just from chest pressure. If you’re not in shape, all your ribs will be broken just from the amount of pressure that you can put on an opponent. But people don’t see that from the outside.”
Jack Della’s Futile Resistance
The defending champion tried everything. He attempted to circle and create distance, he threw power shots when he could find space, and he fought desperately to avoid takedowns. None of it worked.
“Nothing is working right now,” Dave said during the second round. “Islam is just too strong, has too much pressure. It’s amazing how the strength can translate up at 170 here for Islam Makhachev.”
By the championship rounds, Jack Della Maddalena looked like a man who knew his fate was sealed. His corner tried to rally him, but the Australian’s body language told the story—the best grappler in MMA was systematically breaking him.
“What does Jack Della need to do?” Dave asked rhetorically during the fight.
AJ had the answer: “He’s got to distance. He has to keep the fight in the center of the octagon and try to out-strike him because he’s not doing anything. He kind of had some moments in the first round where he was striking, and you’re okay, but the thing with Islam, he comes, he’s taking away the lead leg of Jack. He’s getting on the mark.”
The problem was that every time Jack Della established any rhythm on the feet, Islam would change levels and put him right back on the mat. It was like watching a python methodically constrict its prey.
“Took him down right in the center, didn’t need the fence, didn’t need anything,” Dave marveled during the third round. “Just took him down, took his legs right from under him.”
A dream come true 👏
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025
[ #VeChain #UFC322 | @MAKHACHEVMMA ] pic.twitter.com/NHpxyyCdkP
“He May Be the Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time”
As the fifth round wound down with Islam still in complete control, Dave Simon—the man who had picked JDM to win—was forced to recalibrate his entire understanding of Islam Makhachev’s ceiling.
“Islam Makhachev may be the greatest MMA fighter of all time,” Dave declared. “Number one pound-for-pound for sure after this one. And depending on what he does over the next couple of years, he may be the greatest ever. People may be saying it’s either him or Jon Jones, and maybe they’ll just say it’s him.”
When pressed by Fred about the comparison to Jon Jones, Dave doubled down: “But look at the dominance of Islam. Although Jon Jones, for the first time at heavyweight, also dominated. Jon Jones did the two-division championship thing, and he crushed it. He actually finished Ciryl Gane and Stipe.”
The final scorecards—50-45 across all three judges—represented one of the most dominant performances in UFC championship history. Jack Della Maddalena won exactly zero rounds, and even that feels generous given how thoroughly he was controlled.
“Unbelievable technique from Islam Makhachev, 10 steps ahead of Jack Della Maddalena every single time, every single movement,” Dave said. “He’s just way ahead of him. He’s mauling him, man. Jack Della has no answer, and Jack Della is good. That’s the thing, man. And he’s a bigger fighter, and this was a real test up. This was a really tough fight for Islam Makhachev, and he’s making it look easy. That’s how good Islam is. It’s incredible. I’m blown away, man.”
The Dagestani Dynasty: Best Team in MMA History?
One of the most heartwarming moments of the night came after the final bell, when Khabib Nurmagomedov—Islam’s mentor and the man whose legacy he’s now building upon—hoisted the new double champion onto his shoulders in celebration.
“Islam now with two belts,” Dave observed. “Being paraded around on Khabib’s shoulders. Khabib is so happy. That’s nice. What a team.”
AJ expanded on the significance: “Think about it, all the younger guys that are training at the Dagestani camp. I’ve seen some of them, and they’re training with these guys. Just think what’s going to be coming in the next five years.”
The discussion turned to what makes Team Khabib so formidable beyond technical skill—their discipline, dedication, and lifestyle.
“There’s no party,” Dave noted. “They might eat a bit, but they’re not drinking, they’re not doing anything. They do not party. They’re very religious, they’re very disciplined.”
AJ agreed: “You look at a guy like Islam today, by Monday morning he’s going to be back at the training camp celebrating the belt, but he’s going to be grappling and boxing and doing everything else.”
This level of commitment, combined with elite genetics and world-class coaching, has produced what Dave and AJ both agreed might be the most incredible team in MMA history.
“That Dagestan crew, Team Khabib, the best team in the history of MMA, I think,” Dave declared definitively.
Dillon Danis Gets Banned for Life After Cageside Brawl
While Islam Makhachev was putting on a technical clinic inside the Octagon, chaos erupted in the crowd before the main card even started. Dillon Danis—Conor McGregor’s controversial former training partner—found himself in a violent altercation with members of Team Khabib, including newly signed UFC fighter Magomed Zaynukov (affectionately known as “John Pork” by fans) and former UFC fighter Abubakar Nurmagomedov.
“Oh my god, Dillon Danis was involved in a brawl in the crowd with some of Islam Makhachev’s buddies!” Dave exclaimed when the news broke during the watch-along.
The Ringside Report crew watched in disbelief as videos surfaced showing Zaynukov landing multiple clean punches on Danis before security could restore order.
“John Pork the legend!” Dave joked. “I’m telling you guys, you’re gonna hear about John Pork a lot. He’s becoming a legend of the sport.”
AJ provided context on why the confrontation happened: “The thing with Dillon is that he’s always trying to get press and he’s always getting it in the wrong way, I find.”
Dillon Danis jumped by Team Khabib at #UFC322 pic.twitter.com/3h7wKQKLTj
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) November 16, 2025
Dave was prescient about the consequences: “If I’m the UFC, man, whoever started this is getting banned from me.”
And that’s precisely what happened. At the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White announced a lifetime ban for Danis, stating unequivocally: “You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again.”
White also took responsibility for the incident, admitting he should have removed Danis when security warned him that the controversial figure was wandering between seats and sitting dangerously close to rival fighters.
“It never even crossed my mind, as stupid as this could be, that the entire Muslim Brotherhood was here tonight in the first five rows for Islam,” White said. “As soon as it broke out, I was over on the other side and I go, ‘F*. I know exactly what that is.’ And I knew it.”**
Islam himself weighed in on the situation: “He said a lot of bad things about our team. He should be banned from this country, also.”
The bad blood dates back to UFC 229, when Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor and immediately jumped over the cage to attack Danis, sparking a now-legendary post-fight brawl. Clearly, seven years later, the animosity hasn’t cooled one bit.
Carlos Prates Sends Leon Edwards into Retirement Talk
Before the main event, another massive story developed in the welterweight division. Carlos Prates became the first person to knock out Leon Edwards in nearly 30 professional MMA fights, sending the former champion crashing to the canvas with a devastating straight left hand in the second round.
“The knockout of Leon Edwards was pretty good,” Dave noted during the broadcast. “He’s knocking people out.”
What made the knockout particularly shocking was that Edwards had dominated the first round, utilizing his grappling to ride Prates’ back and threaten with submissions. The Brazilian had won precisely zero moments in the opening five minutes.
Then everything changed.
In the second round, Prates began finding his range with leg kicks and his jab. When Edwards stepped into the pocket, Prates unleashed a perfect straight left that went right down the middle, cracking Edwards on the chin and sending him crashing to the canvas with his eyes rolling back.
“He looked okay in the first round, he looked okay,” AJ observed, “but the second he came in with that power punch and that’s what did it. You gotta judge the fight as a whole.”
The knockout represented Edwards’ third consecutive loss—a stunning fall for a fighter who once held the welterweight title and had a 13-fight unbeaten streak. Following the loss, Ian Machado Garry wasted no time calling for Edwards to hang up his gloves.
“I wanna see: Morales v Prates for number 1 contender,” Garry posted on social media. “And Leon, retire.”
He's a nightmare to deal with 😮💨@TheNightmare170 gets the finish in round two! #VeChain #UFC322 pic.twitter.com/FEiFX8jcEi
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025
For Edwards, this represents a crossroads moment. At 34 years old, with three straight defeats and now his first career knockout loss, the question of retirement is legitimate. The Birmingham native had been hoping to work his way back to title contention, but Saturday night’s result may have closed that door permanently.
“Leon Edwards is a f*ing legend,”** Prates said after the fight. “I think I’m the most entertaining guy in the welterweight division.”
EPIC FINISHES TAKE HOME THE BONUSES 😤
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025
Congrats to @MichaellMMA, @TheNightmare170, @BenoitSt_Denis, and @NoBickal for getting POTN Bonuses at #VeChain #UFC322!
[ B2YB @PrimeHydrate ] pic.twitter.com/Szu5D4CiO9
Michael Morales Shocks Sean Brady—Another Upset Prediction Goes Wrong
The Ringside Report crew’s predictions took another hit when Michael Morales knocked out Sean Brady in the first round—yet another outcome they didn’t see coming.
Fred had been adamant: “Sean Brady all day. I like Sean Brady. I think he’s solid.”
Dave had put Brady in his parlay, confident that the number two-ranked welterweight contender would handle the undefeated but relatively unknown Ecuadorian fighter.
Instead, Morales used his seven-inch reach advantage to devastating effect, landing heavy shots that had Brady hurt early. When the number two contender tried to close the distance, Morales unleashed an uppercut that sent him crashing to the canvas.
“Oh my god! Oh, big uppercut for Morales!” AJ exclaimed as the fight ended.
“Oh, Michael Morales has knocked out Sean Brady in the first round!” Dave announced, clearly stunned. “What a win for Michael Morales! Knocking out the number two contender in the UFC’s welterweight division in the very first round!”
Fred immediately understood the implications: “That has to make him a top-five guy right away, man.”
With the victory, Morales improved to 19-0 and firmly established himself as a legitimate title contender. The 26-year-old has now finished his last several opponents and showed power that can trouble anyone in the division.
“He throws these power bombs,” AJ observed. “Everything he throws is over with intent. There’s nothing just coming with solids. He hits hard.”
Dave was impressed by the welterweight division’s sudden depth: “Morales, Carlos Prates, two huge knockouts tonight. Both guys could be fighting for the belt in 2026. Or fighting each other.”
With that takedown @BulletValentina becomes the 1st woman in UFC history to land 60 career takedowns 👏 #VeChain #UFC322 pic.twitter.com/N7VnTqrew4
— UFC (@ufc) November 16, 2025
Valentina Shevchenko Retains Against Zhang Weili—But at What Cost?
The co-main event saw Valentina Shevchenko successfully defend her Women’s Flyweight Championship against Zhang Weili in another 50-45 unanimous decision. While dominant, the performance drew mixed reactions from the Ringside Report crew.
“The Valentina fight, I mean, it wasn’t the greatest, but it wasn’t bad,” AJ said diplomatically.
Shevchenko utilized her wrestling and size advantage to control Zhang Weili on the ground. Still, her approach—similar to her previous title defenses—lacked the finishing aggression that Islam displayed in the main event.
“Valentina wasn’t going for chokes,” Dave observed during the main event. “She wasn’t looking for the finish. Islam is controlling, doing a good job of controlling the position, but also looking to finish, taking risks.”
The contrast between the two dominant wrestling performances was stark. While both champions controlled their fights completely, Islam’s constant submission attempts and ground-and-pound made for more compelling viewing.
Zhang Weili, the dominant Strawweight Champion who had moved up seeking two-division champion status, simply couldn’t overcome Shevchenko’s size and grappling pedigree. It was a disappointing result for the Chinese star, who had hoped to join the exclusive champ-champ club.
Benoit Saint-Denis Opens Main Card with 16-Second Knockout
The main card started with a bang—literally. Benoit Saint-Denis needed just 16 seconds to knock out Beneil Dariush with a devastating left hook, setting the tone for what would be an explosive night of finishes.
“That’s it, fight’s over!” Dave exclaimed as the referee waved it off. “In just 16 seconds of the round, Benoit Saint-Denis secured a knockout with punches to open the main card intensely and excitingly!”
Fred had predicted this outcome: “Saint-Denis, the younger, more athletic guy right now.”
Dave had Saint-Denis on his parlay, making it one of his few correct picks on the night. The French fighter, nicknamed “God of War,” showed exactly why he’s considered one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world.
For Dariush, who missed weight coming in at 157.5 pounds (1.5 pounds over the limit), it was a disappointing end to a fight that never really started.
What’s Next for Islam Makhachev?
The question on everyone’s mind after Islam’s dominant performance: Who can beat this guy?
Islam mentioned wanting to fight at the White House card, and speculation immediately turned to potential opponents. Kamaru Usman seems like the front-runner, given that both fighters are managed by Ali Abdelaziz, making it an “in the family” type of fight.
“Islam against Kamaru Usman is probably the fight that they’re gonna do,” Dave predicted. “But let me tell you, Shavkat Rakhmonov would be a very tough stylistic matchup for him, and I would like to see that fight. Because if Islam could beat Shavkat too, damn—it’s a wrap.”
AJ was less optimistic about anyone’s chances after watching Saturday’s performance: “Either way, it doesn’t matter who it is. This is who you’re going up against.”
Shavkat Rakhmonov wasted no time staking his claim after the fight, posting on social media: “Congratulations to Islam, excellent performance. But the real challenge at 170 is still me.”
Jack needs an entire camp dedicated just to wrestling. What a disappointment of a champion. You should go to Georgia to learn something.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 16, 2025
Islam, you need something you can’t train: emotion. You’re the most boring thing in this game. Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.
Then there’s Ilia Topuria, the UFC Lightweight Champion, who has been calling for a superfight with Islam. Topuria wasn’t impressed with Saturday’s performance, calling Islam “the most boring thing in this game” and criticizing Jack Della Maddalena as a “disappointment of a champion.”
“Jack needs an entire camp dedicated just to wrestling,” Topuria wrote. “What a disappointment of a champion. Islam, you need something you can’t train: emotion. You’re the most boring thing in this game. Every day, I’m more certain I put you to sleep.”
Dave discussed the Topuria matchup: “I think Topuria probably loses to Islam, though. I don’t think Topuria will be able to deal with him.”
Whether Islam stays at 170 or eventually drops back to 155 for the Topuria superfight remains to be seen. What’s certain is that he’s now established himself as perhaps the most dominant fighter in MMA, with 16 consecutive victories and championships in two weight classes.
The Welterweight Division Has Never Been More Interesting
One of the significant takeaways from UFC 322 is that the 170-pound division is absolutely stacked with talent. Dave and the crew spent considerable time discussing the depth of contenders.
“170 might be as deep as it’s ever been,” Fred observed. “All the top 10 are solid fighters.”
Dave agreed while adding nuance: “I don’t know if it’s deeper than it’s ever been because I think we’ve had intense welterweight divisions in the past. But I think it’s definitely more wide open. There’s a lot more parity in the welterweight division now than there ever has been.”
Consider the current landscape:
- Islam Makhachev (new champion, 16-fight winning streak)
- Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0, recovering from injury)
- Michael Morales (19-0, just KO’d #2-ranked Brady)
- Carlos Prates (23-7, just KO’d former champ Edwards)
- Ian Machado Garry (16-1, beat Prates in their last meeting)
- Kamaru Usman (former dominant champion, still elite)
- Belal Muhammad (former champion, lost to JDM)
- Jack Della Maddalena (now must rebuild after dominant loss)
“Whoever wins tonight is going to be in for some really tough fights at 170 defending that belt,” Dave predicted. “It’s not going to be an easy road because everybody’s going to be a killer.”
Dave’s vision for the division’s future: “Let’s give Kamaru the next title shot and let’s make Morales and Prates fight each other, and then the winner of that fight could be potentially a title challenger.”
Fred agreed with staying active: “All the young guys, whether it’s Prates, Morales, Rakhmonov, Garry—be active, man, and try to be next in line.”
Final Thoughts: Humility and Respect
UFC 322 was a night that humbled the Ringside Report MMA crew. Dave’s bold Jack Della Maddalena pick went down in flames, as did his parlay with Sean Brady getting knocked out in the first round. Fred’s backing of JDM proved equally misguided.
But that’s the beauty of combat sports—the uncertainty, the upsets, and the moments when fighters exceed all expectations.
“Well, congratulations, Islam Makhachev,” Dave concluded the watch-along. “Incredible victory. He’s the best pound-for-pound fighter. He’s one of the greatest fighters of all time, cementing that legacy tonight. And he will continue to do even more.”
The crew may have gotten their predictions wrong, but they had the integrity to recognize greatness when they saw it. Islam Makhachev didn’t just win—he made one of the best welterweight champions in the world look like he didn’t belong in the same cage.
“Islam doing this at 34 years of age,” Dave marveled. “Seems to be getting better still. The dedication to the sport, the discipline, is very admirable. All the respect for Islam Makhachev.”
As for the rest of the card, UFC 322 delivered on every level:
- Three first-round knockouts (Saint-Denis, Morales, Prates)
- Two dominant championship performances
- A cageside brawl that resulted in a lifetime ban
- Career-altering results for Edwards and Brady
- And one of the most complete performances in title fight history
“Good show, Fred,” Dave said as the broadcast wrapped up. “I like that pay-per-view. That was good.”
Indeed, it was. And for the Ringside Report MMA faithful, it was a reminder that no matter how confident your picks, the fighters always have the final say.
Join Us for UFC 323!
Don’t miss the next Ringside Report MMA Watch-Along! Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia will be back with their picks, analysis, and live reactions as the UFC returns.
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💬 Join the conversation and share your thoughts on UFC 322!
Full UFC 322 Results:
Main Card:
- Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – UFC Welterweight Championship
- Valentina Shevchenko def. Zhang Weili via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship
- Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards via KO (punch) at 1:28 of Round 2
- Michael Morales def. Sean Brady via KO (punch) in Round 1
- Benoit Saint-Denis def. Beneil Dariush via KO (punch) at 0:16 of Round 1
What did you think of Islam Makhachev’s performance? Is he the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world? Should Leon Edwards retire? Sound off in the comments below!
