NEW YORK: Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev added a new belt to his trophy case, becoming the new UFC welterweight champion against Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision, 50-45, 50-45, 50-45, on Saturday night at UFC 322 in the main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
A dominant wrestling base made the difference for Makhachev (28-1 MMA), who became the 11th fighter in UFC history to win multiple titles across divisions. The Russian also tied Anderson Silva’s record for the UFC’s longest winning streak with 16 consecutive outings. Australia’s Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA) had not lost since May 2016, rallying off 18 in a row entering the title defense against the Russian superstar, who vacated the 155-pound belt earlier this year.
Makhachev recognizes his chance to elevate his status as MMA’s most elite champion. Should he stay healthy, he wants a fight at the UFC’s White House event next summer.
“I’m coming,” Makhachev said.
The co-main event saw Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan make her second defense of her UFC flyweight title across two different titleholder stints (the other being from December 2018-March 2023), doing so with effortless wrestling and explosive boxing across 25 minutes of action to overwhelm former three-time UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili of China 50-45, 50-45, 50-45.
Shevchenko (26-4-1 MMA) was classy in victory, keeping it simple regarding why she continues to improve despite being 37. Shevchenko joined former UFC two- division champion Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA) with 11 title fight victories, the most in women’s UFC history.
“This is the art of martial arts,” Shevchenko said following the fight.
Weili (26-4 MMA) reassured her fanbase to “not worry about me,” reiterating she gave the best effort she had after moving up in weight to fight Shevchenko after initially vacating her strawweight title (now held by Brazil’s Mackenzie Dern).
“I will keep marching forward,” Weili, 36, said.
Weili had not tasted defeat since November 2021, sharing she needs to re- evaluate her next career phase before opting to attempt to regain her 115-pound title.
Welterweight Michael Morales of Ecuador put himself in title contention with a first-round TKO against Philadelphia’s Sean Brady in less than four minutes. Morales (19-0 MMA) ran his record to 7-0 in the UFC since 2022, whereas Brady (18-2 MMA) had won three in a row.
The finishes kept rolling as former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards of England suffered a knockout loss at the expense of Brazil’s Carlos Prates. Prates (23-7 MMA) landed a straight left to secure the second-round win, earning back-to-back victories to close the year strong. Edwards (22-6 MMA) had not been knocked out in 14 years and has dropped three in a row since July 2024.
Lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis made short work of Beneil Dariush to open the main card with a 16-second TKO in a 157-pound catchweight bout. Saint-Denis (16-3, 1 NC MMA) became the first fighter in over two years to finish Dariush (23-7-1 MMA), who has three of his last four bouts, all via KO/TKO.
Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322
https://arab.news/9xs9d
Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322
- A dominant wrestling base made the difference for Makhachev (28-1 MMA), who became the 11th fighter in UFC history to win multiple titles across divisions
England coach Tuchel extends contract through to Euro 2028
- Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland
LONDON:Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.
Tuchel was confirmed as the successor to Gareth Southgate in October 2024 and has overseen an unbeaten qualification run to this year’s World Cup in North America, with England winning all eight group games under their German boss.
“I am very happy and proud to extend my time with England,” said the 52-year-old former Chelsea manager in an FA statement.
“It is no secret to anyone that I have loved every minute so far of working with my players and coaches, and I cannot wait to lead them to the World Cup.
“It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud,” added Tuchel, whose previous England deal ran only until the end of this year’s global showpiece.
The FA said that the new agreement with Tuchel would provide “clarity and full focus” amid speculation about his future after the World Cup.
Tuchel had been previously touted as a possible permanent successor to sacked former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, even though the English giants have experienced an upturn in form under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.
But in signing a new England contract, Tuchel appears to have ruled himself out of a post-World Cup move to Old Trafford.
The FA added that Tuchel’s senior backroom team — Anthony Barry, Henrique Hilario, Nico Mayer and James Melbourne — had all also agreed contract extensions through to the end of Euro 2028.
“I have had so much support from (FA chief executive) Mark (Bullingham), all my colleagues at the FA and from fans wherever I go that I did not hesitate when asked to continue in this dream job,” said Tuchel.
’No better candidate’
Extending his contract ahead of this year’s World Cup in North America is a clear sign of the FA’s confidence in Tuchel, looking to guide the England men’s team to their first major trophy in six decades.
“I am delighted Thomas has committed to stay with us through to the Euros in 2028,” said Bullingham.
“He was the right person for the job when he joined us for the World Cup campaign, and has only strengthened his reputation across the qualifiers...There is simply no better candidate available in world football.”
Tuchel, due to attend the Nations League draw in Brussels on Thursday, said in his first interview after succeeding Southgate that he wanted to add a “second star” to the England shirt by winning the 2026 World Cup.
The only major international tournament won by the England men’s team was when they triumphed on home soil at the 1966 World Cup, defeating the then West Germany in a Wembley final.
But they twice came close to ending that barren run under Southgate, losing in both the Euro 2020 and 2024 finals.
Tuchel’s England team eased through qualification, winning all eight matches in a group which also featured Albania, Serbia, Latvia and Andorra.
Tougher tests, however, await at the World Cup, with co-hosts Mexico in line to face England on home ground in the last 16 should Tuchel’s men top their group, with a possible quarter-final against five-time world champions Brazil to follow.
