UFC 311 kicked off with some slow-burning fights before the main card delivered an entertaining performance. The event took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and featured several notable matchups.
The night began with a strong showing from Islam Makhachev, who defended his lightweight title against Renato Moicano via first-round submission (D’arce Choke). Makhachev’s dominant performance showcased his skillset, leaving Moicano struggling to compete. The victory sets the stage for Makhachev’s potential next move, possibly a title defense against Ilia Topuria.
In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili faced off against Umar Nurmagomedov and emerged victorious via unanimous decision (48-47×2, 49-46). This win solidifies Dvalishvili’s position as a top contender in the heavyweight division. His impressive display of speed and agility proved too much for Nurmagomedov, who appeared to be outmatched.
The event also featured several standout performances from other fighters. Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill delivered an intense bout, with Prochazka emerging victorious via third-round TKO. Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac put on a thrilling show, both winning their fights via first-round TKOs.
Reinier de Ridder and Kevin Holland clashed in a short but impactful fight, which saw de Ridder secure a first-round submission (rear-naked choke). Raoni Barcelos pulled off an impressive upset against Payton Talbott, dominating him via unanimous decision. Azamat Bekoev’s first-round KO victory over Zach Reese was another notable moment.
Grant Dawson and Diego Ferreira shared a closely contested bout, with Dawson ultimately emerging victorious via unanimous decision. Ailin Perez continued her winning streak, defeating Karol Rosa via unanimous decision. Ricky Turcios impressed with his stamina and toughness, despite losing to Bernardo Sopaj.
UFC 311 marked an exciting event for the promotion, with several fighters showcasing their skills and potential. The next event, scheduled for February 1, will bring Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov to the Octagon.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/01/19/ufc-311-results-bonus-winners-and-the-8-biggest-takeaways