ISLAM MAKHACHEV and Jack Della Maddalena took part in a tense staredown, which Dana White had to separate.
Fan favourite Makhachev will bid to become a two-division champion by dethroning JDM in the main event of Sunday morning’s Madison Square Garden card.
JDM, meanwhile, will look to make the first defence of the welterweight title he claimed in May by bludgeoning Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
The pair have been cordial with one another in the build-up to the MSG melee.
But that didn’t stop them from taking part in a tense face off following the presser.
Chants of “Islam, Islam, Islam” rang throughout the Hulu Theater at MSG as the duo stared one another down.
The pair briefly separated before both men beckoned the other towards them.
And UFC boss White was quick to stop the duo from coming together.
A similarly fiery face off between Carlos Prates and Leon Edwards preceded the Makhachev-JDM staredown.
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Both men traded verbal jabs with one another during the presser, which was packed to the rafters with fans.
Brummie bruiser Edwards will look to snap a two-fight losing streak against the surging Brazilian and reignite his bid to become a two-time king of the welterweights.
Former pound-for-pound king Makhachev is relishing the chance to become a two-division champion and further cement his legacy as an all-time great.
He told CBS Sports: “I expect it’s going to be a high-level fight.
“And not just for the belt but for many things — for legacy, for rankings, for the belt.
“I’m very excited to fight this Saturday and this is the biggest fight of my life.”
UFC 322 will be aired live in the UK on TNT Sports Box Office. TNT Sports is the home of UFC in the UK. To find out more, visit here.
