"In reality, you can view them that way. In an unprecedented bit of booking, two long-serving UFC champions, Makhachev and Zhang, are moving up in weight to pursue second titles against Jack Della Maddalena (the promotion's current welterweight kingpin) and Valentina Shevchenko (on her second reign as UFC women's flyweight champ). On the same night, on one of the biggest cards of the year in New York City."
"The reality is, had these moves come in an era with, say, less than 40+ UFC events, Islam and Weili might have held on to their titles. But the days of seeing a Conor McGregor or Daniel Cormier parading around the octagon with two titles are likely over, with the promotion no longer keen on having a division held up simply to build the legacy of an individual fighter. No matter how big a draw they might be."
"Islam Makhachev is heavily favored to claim welterweight gold, with only one writer responding siding with Jack Della Maddalena. That actually goes against the betting line, which sees the fight closer than our crew. The night's co-main event was a much closer pick, and we're split 50/50 between Shevchenko retaining, and Zhang finding glory at flyweight. The lone unanimous pick on the UFC 322 main card was Carlos Prates, with apologies to ex-welterweight champ Leon Edwards."
Islam Makhachev and Weili Zhang vacated their titles to move up a weight class and pursue second UFC championships. Both are challenging established champions on the same night: Makhachev against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and Zhang against women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. The event takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Predictions favor a single title changing hands, with Makhachev heavily favored to win welterweight gold despite betting lines indicating a closer contest. The co-main between Shevchenko and Zhang is split evenly in projections. Carlos Prates received unanimous support among main card picks.
Read at Cageside Press
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