Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California | January 18, 2025
UFC 311 was a night of unexpected twists and turns, headlined by a last-minute title fight between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. The event, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, delivered a thrilling main event and a memorable night of fights.
Makhachev Dominates in Title Defense
The main event saw Islam Makhachev successfully defend his lightweight title against a game but outmatched Renato Moicano. Moicano, a late replacement for the injured Arman Tsarukyan, stepped in on short notice and faced a daunting task against the dominant champion.
Makhachev, known for his relentless wrestling and grappling, showcased his skills throughout the fight. He controlled the pace, taking Moicano down repeatedly and securing dominant positions. Moicano, a skilled jiu-jitsu practitioner himself, struggled to find openings and prevent Makhachev’s advances.
In the end, Makhachev’s superior wrestling and grappling proved too much for Moicano. The champion secured a unanimous decision victory, solidifying his position as one of the most dominant forces in the lightweight division.
Other Notable Fights
The co-main event featured a bantamweight title fight between champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pressure and cardio, outclassed Nurmagomedov throughout the fight. He secured a unanimous decision victory, extending his winning streak and solidifying his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC.
Main Card (10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View):
- Lightweight Championship Bout: Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Renato Moicano
- Bantamweight Championship Bout: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
- Heavyweight Bout: Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
- Middleweight Bout: Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
Preliminary Card (8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, FX, ESPNews, and Disney+):
- Bantamweight Bout: Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Lightweight Bout: Grant Dawson vs. Damir Ismagulov
- Middleweight Bout: Zach Reese vs. Abu Azaitar
- Featherweight Bout: Andre Fili vs. Lucas Almeida
Early Preliminary Card (6 p.m. ET on FX, ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass, and Disney+):
- Bantamweight Bout: Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez
- Flyweight Bout: Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Cody Durden
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Dustin Jacoby vs. Alonzo Menifield
- Women’s Flyweight Bout: Casey O’Neill vs. Ariane Lipski
- Heavyweight Bout: Martin Buday vs. Shamil Gaziev
Other notable fights on the card included:
- Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot: A highly anticipated lightweight clash between two top contenders. Dariush, known for his grappling prowess, secured a submission victory in the second round.
- Jessica Andrade vs. Amanda Lemos: A women’s strawweight battle between two powerful strikers. Andrade, a former champion, landed a devastating head kick in the first round to secure a knockout victory.
- Terrance McKinney vs. Don Madge: A lightweight bout that showcased the striking prowess of both fighters. McKinney, known for his aggressive style, landed a flurry of punches in the first round to secure a knockout victory.
Overall, UFC 311 was a successful event that delivered exciting fights and memorable moments. The main event, while not the originally planned matchup, provided a showcase of Makhachev’s dominance, while the co-main event saw Dvalishvili continue his impressive run.
