UFC 311 begin time, full battle card particulars | Makhachev vs. Moicano

Final Preventing Championship (UFC) is gearing as much as stage its first pay-per-view (PPV) occasion of the New 12 months later TONIGHT (Sat., Jan 18, 2025), as UFC 311 is about to go down contained in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Calif. Headlining the ESPN+ PPV card can be a re-worked light-weight title battle as division champion, Islam Makhachev, will face Renato Moicano. Within the second a part of the championship doubleheader, bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, will defend his belt towards No. 1 contender, Umar Nurmagomedov.

What’s Scorching:

It’s an enormous week for Workforce Nurmagomedov, as head coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, can be teaching three of his high fighters in main world title fights. Subsequent Saturday, (Jan, 25, 2025), “The Eagle” will fly over to Dubai — not through Frontier — to nook Usman Nurmagomedov as he defends his light-weight belt towards Paul Hughes at PFL’s “Street to Dubai” occasion. Earlier than then, nevertheless, Khabib can be within the nook of Makhachev, who will defend his title towards Moicano. Additionally, Umar Nurmagomedov will try and win his first main world title when he battles bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, within the co-main occasion.

After leaving the game in Oct. 2020, Khabib vowed that the 155-pound division can be in good arms and predicted that Makhachev would reign supreme in his absence. Two years later, that prophecy was fulfilled as Makhachev received the title by submitting Charles Oliviera at UFC 280, and has since defended his belt three straight instances. With a report of 26-1, Makhachev ultimately overtook Jon Jones because the No. 1 finest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet on the official UFC rankings. Now, the light-weight king will try so as to add to his ever-growing resume along with his fourth straight title protection — which can be yet another than Khabib had.

Moicano has a chance of a lifetime right here after stepping in to fill the void on in the future’s discover following the withdrawal of Arman Tsarukyan from the principle occasion (particulars right here). Moicano — who initially set to face Beneil Dariush — is at present on a four-fight win streak, so he’s on good rhythm coming into this short-notice battle. Granted, for his first-ever shot at profitable a UFC title I’m certain he would have beloved extra time to arrange, particularly towards the pound-for-pound finest fighter within the recreation, however he didn’t hesitate one bit to leap on the likelihood to shock the world. Can he do it? Something is feasible and one punch can finish all of it within the blink of an eye fixed. That mentioned, Makhachev is just firing on all cylinders and he can be an excessive amount of for “Cash,” who will undoubtedly be nicely-compensated for saving the day. Nonetheless, if Moicano manages to by some means get the win, it will likely be the most important upset since Matt Serra took out Georges St-Pierre at UFC 269.

What’s Not:

There’s not a lot to complain about with this occasion. UFC wished to start out off its PPV run with a bang and on paper this card seems to be like it’ll ship simply that as a result of it’s so well-rounded from high to backside, even with the late principal occasion change. Nevertheless, I’ve just a little challenge with the Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos battle. Talbott has been nothing in need of spectacular throughout his UFC run, or his total MMA profession for that matter. Undefeated at 9-0, Talbott — who made his manner into the large present through the Contender Sequence — has received his first three fights contained in the Octagon with spectacular stoppages, and can try and safe his fourth towards one of the crucial skilled fighters he’s confronted in Barcelos, who has struggled as of late, going a paltry 2-4 in his final six fights. I’d have preferred to have seen Talbott get a batter matchup right here towards somebody who gives a bit extra upside.

Authentic Card Vs. Precise Card:

After all, the large blow got here just a bit over 24 hours from battle night time after Dana White dropped the bombshell that Arman Tsarukyan needed to bow out of his light-weight title battle towards Makhachev as a consequence of a nasty again. Fortunately, Renato Moicano stepped as much as the plate in an enormous option to save the day. Additionally, Zachary Reese and Sedriques Dumas have been anticipated to fulfill in a middleweight affair earlier than Dumas pulled out for undisclosed causes. He was in the end changed by present Legacy Preventing Alliance (LFA) 185-pound champion, Azamat Bekoev.

Accidents:

Other than Tsarukyan’s unhealthy again, Johnny Walker was pressured out of his gentle heavyweight battle towards Bogdan Guskov with a foot harm. Stepping in to fill the void is UFC newcomer, Billy Elekana, who jumped on the likelihood to get a shot on the large stage on quick discover.

New Blood:

After Sedriques Dumas was pressured out of his battle towards Zachary Reese, Azamat Bekoev — who’s the present middleweight champion for LFA — was given the last-minute alternative to make the bounce to the large leagues. Bekoev is at present on a six-fight win streak with an total report of 18-3, which incorporates 14 stoppage victories. As for Reese, he has racked up two straight wins below the UFC banner after shedding his debut towards Cody Brundage.

Billy Elekana stepped in to fill he void left behind by Johnny Walker to face off towards Bogdan Guskov on the undercard. The up-and-coming 205-pound contender would have in all probability preferred a bit extra discover in his UFC debut, however when alternative knocks it will be silly for a younger fighter to not open it. He’s at present 7-1 with 4 stoppage wins on the age of 29. As for Guskov, he has secured back-to-back wins over Ryan Spann and Zac Pauga after arising quick in his UFC debut towards Volkan Oezdemir.

How The ‘Prelims’ Look:

In what must be a tightly-contested light-weight bout Grant Dawson will face off towards Diego Ferreira in a battle that may see the victor acquire his first three-fight win streak in fairly some time. Dawson is coming off a technical knockout win over Rafa Garcia in Oct. 2024, whereas Ferreira stopped Mateusz Rebecki through strikes final summer season.

Ailin Perez stumbled out of the gates in her UFC debut towards Stephanie Egger, however has since turned issues round enormously by racking up 4 straight wins. Her opponent, Karol Rosa, has been fairly inconsistent during the last three years, alternating wins and losses to the tune of a 3-3 report in that span.

Rinya Nakamura will try and preserve his undefeated (9-0, 5-0 UFC) report intact towards Muin Gafurov, who snapped his two-fight shedding streak by securing a much-needed win final summer season towards Kyung Ho Kang. Nakamura has confirmed to be a future menace for any bantamweight standing in entrance of him. As for Gafurov, whereas he has struggled mightily since becoming a member of the UFC ranks, handing Nakamura his first defeat can be an enormous feather in his cap.

Bernardo Sopai got here up quick in his UFC debut towards Vinicius Oliveira, snapping his three-fight win streak. He’ll attempt to acquire his first win contained in the Octagon when he battles Ricky Turcios, who can be seeking a much-needed win after he was submitted by Raul Rosas Jr. final summer season.

Kicking off the undercard is a flyweight battle between Clayton Carpenter and Tagir Ulanbekov. Carpenter is at present undefeated (8-0, 2-0 UFC) with six stoppage wins to boast of. As for Ulanbekov, he’s 4-1 contained in the Octagon, along with his lone defeat coming towards former division title contender, Tim Elliott.

Who Wants A Win Badly:

Kevin Holland has seen higher days. “Trailblazer” has misplaced three of his final 4 fights and is simply 3-5 in his final eight. Holland merely has not been profitable on a constant foundation, and issues will solely get harder for him when he takes on Reinier de Ridder, who’s 1-0 contained in the Octagon. The previous ONE middleweight and lightweight heavyweight champion submitted Gerald Meerschaert in his official UFC debut final November. He has all of the instruments to present Holland nightmares and, fairly frankly, he’s much more polished in his total recreation.

Curiosity Degree: 8.5/10

Within the co-main occasion, Merab Dvalishvili will try and efficiently defended his 135-pound title for the primary time since taking it away from Sean O’Malley. And his first check is an enormous one as a result of Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t know the which means of defeat, racking up 18 straight wins to kick off his MMA profession, together with profitable his first six bouts contained in the Octagon. Whereas most anticipate this battle to be a grapple fest, I wouldn’t be too fast to wager the home on it.

Each males are wonderful grapplers in their very own proper, which leads me to imagine they are going to cancel one another out. This battle will come right down to who can put their putting collectively one of the best. Dvalishvili’s power of schedule is so much higher than that of Nurmagomedov’s, so he can be very ready for something he and coach Khabib throw his manner, Nonetheless, Nurmagomedov has confirmed that he’s able to taking over any problem and persevere. The 2 have already got a built-in rivalry that solely intensified after one among Nurmagomedov’s alleged camp members lured Merab right into a scuffle throughout UFC 310. And while you couple that with tales of betrayal, issues are very tense between the 2 camps in the meanwhile.

Jamahal Hill has shortly develop into a UFC villain nobody ever noticed coming, and it’s largely as a consequence of the truth that he merely can’t settle for his knockout loss by the hands of present 205-pound champion, Alex Pereira. Beginning fights on the UFC PI and never following up on the discuss didn’t assist his trigger, both, so the one factor he can do to attempt to win some followers again is get a win towards Jiri Prochazka so as put his hat into title battle consideration. Like Hill, Prochazka’s final defeat additionally got here through devastating knockout by the hands of “Poatan,” so the 2 males share that in frequent.

Hill fancies himself as a knockout artist, and whereas he does have seven wins through KO, you don’t actually consider him as a putting specialist. But when he chooses to play that recreation with Prochazka, it received’t finish will with him as a result of the Czech has 26 knockouts in 30 victories on his resume. He has nice approach and devastating energy to go along with it, whereas Hill is extra of an unorthodox striker. If it stays on the ft — which I feel it’ll — Prochazka could have extra success and in the end put his foe out to pasture.

Jailton Almeida jumped out of the gates impressively with six straight wins to start his UFC profession, however suffered an enormous setback when he bumped into Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299. However he confirmed his potential to bounce again after a loss by submitting Alexander Romanov three months later at UFC 302 (see it once more right here). He’ll look to construct on that momentum when he battles Serghei Spivac, who has been spectacular by going 7-2 in his final 9 fights contained in the Octagon, which incorporates 5 finishes. This battle was promoted to the principle card following the information of Renato Moicano getting bumped as much as the principle occasion, which cancelled his principal card showdown towards Beneil Dariush.

Benefit from the fights!

Full UFC 311 Struggle Card:

UFC 311 PPV Principal Occasion on ESPN+ PPV:

155 lbs.: UFC Light-weight Champion Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano (not Arman Tsarukyan)

UFC 311 PPV Principal Card on ESPN+ PPV:

135 lbs.: UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov205 lbs.: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill185 lbs.: Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder265 lbs.: Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac

UFC 311 ‘Prelims’ Card on ESPNN/Disney+/ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET):

135 lbs.: Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos185 lbs.: Zach Reese vs. Azamat Bekoev (not Sedriques Dumas)205 lbs.: Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana (not Johnny Walker)155 lbs.: Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira

UFC 311 Early ‘Prelims’ Card on Disney+/ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET):

135 lbs.: Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez135 lbs.: Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov135 lbs.: Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopai125 lbs.: Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter

*Struggle card, bout order and variety of fights stay topic to alter.*

Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC 311 battle card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN+/ESPNEWS “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET, earlier than the principle card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).

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