UFC 311 - Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2

January 16, 2025

Get ready for an explosive start to 2025 with the first pay-per-view event of the year, live from Inglewood, California! Two epic battles for UFC Gold headline the night. Islam Makhachev faces off against number one contender Arman Tsarukyan in a highly anticipated rematch that will determine if Islam takes the record for the most title defenses in UFC lightweight history. Meanwhile, Merab Dvalishvili defends his Bantamweight title against the rising star Umar Nurmagomedov. The action-packed card also features thrilling matchups with Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, Renato Moicano, Payton Talbott, and more.

Main Card

(C) Islam Makhachev vs #1 Arman Tsarukyan
Lightweight Title Bout - 155 lbs

This weekend’s highly anticipated main event brings an exciting rematch between two dynamic lightweights. In their first meeting back in 2019, Islam Makhachev earned a unanimous decision victory over Arman Tsarukyan in Tsarukyan’s UFC debut. Since then, Tsarukyan has gone on an impressive 9-1 run, with his most recent triumph coming over Charles Oliveira via split decision. On the other side, Makhachev enters his fourth title defense riding a remarkable 14-fight win streak, including a dominant D’Arce choke submission victory over Dustin Poirier last June. Both fighters built the first half of their careers on dominant wrestling, while gradually refining their striking skills along the way. Will that evolution in their game make the difference this weekend?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(C) Merab Dvalishvili vs #2 Umar Nurmagomedov
Bantamweight Title Bout - 135 lbs

In a fast turnaround for Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, he faces top-5 contender Umar Nurmagomedov in what promises to be an exciting showdown. The cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar is coming off his first ranked victory in six UFC bouts, having defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision. Dvalishvili, on the other hand, earned the title at UFC Noche last September with a dominant performance against Sean O'Malley. Merab's strategy has been consistent in every matchup, relentlessly pursuing takedowns to neutralize his opponents' strengths. Umar, on the other hand, excels at controlling distance with his elite kicking game, complemented by the traditional Dagestani grappling. Will Merab's unyielding pressure and takedowns prove to be the ultimate challenge for Umar's high-level striking and grappling?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#2 Jiri Prochazka vs #3 Jamahal Hill
Light Heavyweight Bout - 205 lbs

Both Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill are former champions on a relentless quest to reclaim their spot at the top and earn another shot at UFC gold. Both fighters have title fight losses to reigning champ Alex Pereira, with each looking to bounce back in dominant fashion. Prochazka is known for his unorthodox striking and never-say-die attitude, having secured a finish in every one of his UFC victories. Hill, meanwhile, is determined to reassert himself after recovering from a tough Achilles injury in 2023, aiming to prove that his well-rounded skill set is more than enough to get him back in the title hunt. This battle is poised to be a fan favorite on the night.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#9 Beneil Dariush vs #10 Renato Moicano
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Two UFC veterans collide, each riding a very different wave of momentum. Beneil Dariush, once on the cusp of a title shot, is looking to rebound after back-to-back losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. On the opposite side, Renato Moicano is soaring with a four-fight win streak and an undefeated presence on the microphone following his recent victories. Dariush is renowned for his elite takedown defense and world-class BJJ if the fight hits the ground. Moicano, a gritty and versatile fighter, is always ready to take the fight anywhere, relying on his heart and determination as his greatest strengths. Is this Moicano’s moment to shine, or can Dariush regroup and mount a comeback toward another title run?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kevin Holland vs #10 Reinier de Ridder
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Kevin Holland, always eager for a challenge, has stepped up to face recent UFC newcomer Reinier de Ridder. Ridder, a standout from One Championship, made an impressive UFC debut in November with an arm triangle choke victory over Gerald Meerschaert. Holland, known for his entertaining style, has been on a bit of a rollercoaster in his recent bouts. His precise striking, coupled with his advanced BJJ, has been key to most of his victories, often leading him to finish opponents. Ridder, in contrast, is a top-tier BJJ practitioner, always seeking the takedown and looking for submission finishes. The question now is: will Holland take control on the feet, or will Ridder look to bring the fight to the ground and test Holland's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt?

Prelims

Payton Talbott vs Raoni Barcelos
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

UFC’s newest rising star, Payton Talbott, enters the octagon as the night’s biggest favorite, though he faces his toughest challenge yet in the form of Raoni Barcelos. Barcelos, after starting his UFC career with a five-fight win streak, has since experienced a mixed run of wins and losses. Talbott, the undefeated prospect, is coming off an explosive 19-second knockout and is known for his elite striking and vibrant personality. This matchup could play out similarly to Barcelos’ 2023 fight against Umar Nurmagomedov. Can Talbott continue his dominant rise as he faces stiffer competition?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#6 Jailton Almeida vs #7 Serghei Spivac
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

Two top-10 heavyweight grapplers with title aspirations collide in a high-stakes showdown. Jailton Almeida, one of the most dominant wrestlers in the division, has looked exceptional throughout his career, with his only loss coming to Curtis Blaydes after a mishandled takedown led to a brutal hammer fist finish. On the other side, Serghei Spivac is coming off four finishes in his last five bouts, eager to solidify himself as a serious wrestling threat. Will one of these fighters prove to be the superior grappler, or will this clash turn into an unexpected striking battle?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#13 Bogdan Guskov vs Billy Elekana
Light Heavyweight Bout - 205 lbs

Due to a last-minute injury, Johnny Walker has been replaced by UFC newcomer Billy Elekana. After an impressive three-fight win streak in other organizations, including the PFL, Elekana receives the call-up with just over a week's notice. His opponent, Bogdan Guskov, is riding a wave of momentum, having earned two consecutive Performance of the Night awards for back-to-back finishes. The big question now is whether Guskov will continue to rise through the ranks or will Elekana spoil the party in his UFC debut.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#15 Grant Dawson vs Diego Ferreira
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Grant Dawson is a high-level wrestler known for his relentless pressure and strong control over his opponents, making for a straightforward, dominant style. In contrast, Ferreira is a dangerous striker who constantly looks for a finish and refuses to be held in bottom position, making ground control a battle of attrition. While Dawson focuses on maintaining control, Ferreira forces his opponents to work for every second they spend on the ground.

Early Prelims

Zachary Reese vs Azamat Bekoev
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

On Tuesday afternoon, Azamat Bekoev stepped in on short notice to make his UFC debut against Zachary Reese, after Sedriques Dumas was forced to withdraw. Bekoev, the current LFA champion, earned his call-up after a stunning second-round knockout last June. Reese, a promising UFC prospect, is known for his size and power in the division, as well as his high-level BJJ skills if the fight hits the mat. The question now is whether Bekoev can capitalize on this last-minute opportunity and derail the rising hype around Reese.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#9 Karol Rosa vs #13 Ailin Perez
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Rosa, known for her striking, thrives in exchanges and relies on relentless pressure rather than knockout power to wear down her opponents. Perez, a well-rounded pressure grappler, is coming off a weight miss in September but remains dangerous with her ability to control the action on the ground.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rinya Nakamura vs Muin Gafurov
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Nakamura enters the fight with explosive power and unpredictable striking, backed by his high-level wrestling skills—though his unorthodox style can leave him vulnerable if he gets out of position. Gafurov, a well-rounded and seasoned fighter, represents a significant step up in competition for the rising prospect. The big question is: will Gafurov be able to neutralize Nakamura’s wrestling and take control of the fight?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Both Turcious and Sopaj are eager to get back on track after recent losses, as they look to secure a win this weekend. Turcious is a high-energy fighter known for his relentless volume and fast-paced style, constantly applying pressure. Sopaj, while also dangerous with his pace, brings more power in his hands and a greater ability to finish fights. However, Sopaj is returning from a devastating knockout suffered seven months ago. The question now is whether his return is too soon or if his chin has fully healed, allowing him to finally notch his first win in the Octagon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#11 Tagir Ulanbekov vs Clayton Carpenter
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Kicking off the night are two promising prospects, both bringing strong wrestling-focused gameplans. Ulanbekov, hailing from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp, follows a traditional grapple-heavy approach but is in need of a win to regain momentum after his last fight was canceled due to a weight miss. Carpenter, known for his fast pace and relentless drive for a finish, will look to impose his own wrestling style. The question is: which of these rising prospects will make a statement and move closer to the top of the rankings?

Enjoy the Fights!