UFC 311 unfolded at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, marking the first pay-per-view event of 2025. The main event showcased a dramatic shift as lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter, defended his title against a last-minute replacement, Renato Moicano. Arman Tsarukyan, the original challenger, was forced to withdraw due to injury, paving the way for Moicano to step up on just one day’s notice. The co-main event featured another title fight, with undisputed bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili facing the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov in a highly anticipated clash. The event promised an exciting night of action, with several other compelling matchups on the card.
The preliminary card delivered a series of impressive performances and unexpected outcomes. Raoni Barcelos, a seasoned veteran, upset rising bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott, handing him his first professional defeat. Barcelos implemented a grappling-heavy strategy, repeatedly taking Talbott down and neutralizing his striking prowess. Despite a late surge from Talbott in the final round, Barcelos maintained control, securing a dominant unanimous decision victory. Elsewhere, Azamat Bekoev made a memorable UFC debut, stepping in on short notice to deliver a brutal knockout victory over Zachary Reese via ground-and-pound. Bekoev’s powerful performance signaled his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division.
The preliminary card continued to deliver exciting finishes. Bogdan Guskov, an Uzbekistani light heavyweight, secured his third consecutive finish by submitting short-notice replacement Billy Elekana in the second round via a guillotine choke. Guskov’s victory showcased his well-rounded skillset, transitioning seamlessly from striking to grappling to secure the win. Meanwhile, lightweight contender Grant Dawson extended his impressive run with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Ferreira. Dawson’s relentless pace and superior output earned him a clear victory on the judges’ scorecards, further solidifying his position as a rising star in the lightweight division.
The early preliminary bouts provided a mix of competitive matchups and dominant performances. Ailin Perez, an Argentinian fighter, continued her winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Karol Rosa. Perez’s impressive performance was capped off with her signature celebratory twerk, further endearing her to the fans. In a surprising upset, Muin Gafurov outworked highly-touted Japanese prospect Rinya Nakamura, handing him his first professional loss. Gafurov’s effective counter-striking and early knockdown proved crucial in securing the unanimous decision victory.
The early prelims continued with Benardo Sopaj earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Ricky Turcios in a back-and-forth bantamweight battle. Sopaj’s resilience and tactical approach allowed him to edge out Turcios on the judges’ scorecards. Finally, in the opening bout of the night, Tagir Ulanbekov, a flyweight prospect mentored by Khabib Nurmagomedov, secured a unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Clayton Carpenter. Ulanbekov’s victory reaffirmed his potential as a future contender in the flyweight division.
The main card of UFC 311 featured two championship bouts and several other high-profile matchups. Islam Makhachev, despite facing a late replacement opponent, aimed to maintain his dominance in the lightweight division. Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov were set to clash in a highly anticipated bantamweight title fight, showcasing the depth of talent in the division. Other notable matchups included Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill and Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac, promising an action-packed main card. Reinier De Ridder’s impressive first-round submission victory over Kevin Holland highlighted his grappling prowess and set him up for a potential fight against a top-five opponent. The overall event delivered exciting finishes, unexpected upsets, and dominant performances, showcasing the dynamic nature of mixed martial arts.
