The MMA community is buzzing with excitement after the intense women’s matches. Are you ready for the upcoming powerful performances? Can you feel the adrenaline building as we anticipate high-stakes showdowns for championship belts? Who will emerge as the next breakthrough star with explosive techniques? What legendary rematches will bring drama to the octagon? Can you imagine the masterful displays of skill that await us? With two epic titleholder events, the stakes are higher than ever. Expect power-packed performances, jaw-dropping techniques, and unforgettable moments in the octagon. Don’t miss the drama as fighters bring their A-game to claim the championship belts. UFC 311, set for January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, United States is highly anticipated. The UFC 311 main event features a rematch between UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, with Makhachev winning their first bout in 2019. The co-main UFC 311 event will see Merab Dvalishvili defend his bantamweight title against undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. The card includes former light heavyweight champions Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and rising star Payton Talbott. The state-of-the-art Intuit Dome will provide a spectacular backdrop for this landmark event. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride and a wave of emotions as the octagon lights up with every move! Are you prepared to dive into all the latest sports updates?
Here are the latest UFC updates. Islam Makhachev submitted Adin Ross ahead of UFC 311. Khabib Nurmagomedov commented on a viral flight removal incident. Amanda Ribas spoke out after her submission loss to Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 101. Dana White announced a potential rescheduling of UFC 311 due to California wildfires. Mackenzie Dern defeated Amanda Ribas by submission at UFC Fight Night Dern vs. Ribas 2. UFC 311 will be a landmark event on January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This UFC 311 marks the UFC’s first visit to the newly opened Intuit Dome and its third visit to Inglewood since 2018. Despite recent wildfires in Southern California, the event will proceed as planned, adding to the anticipation. The main event features a highly anticipated rematch between reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Their first bout in 2019 saw Makhachev victory by unanimous decision. The co-main event will see UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defending his title against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, promising a high-paced, action-packed bout. Additional matchups include Ricky Turcios vs. Bernardo Sopaj, Grant Dawson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira, and Johnny Walker vs. Billy Elekana. UFC 311 marks the first PPV event in 2025, setting the tone for the year with high-stakes matchups that could reshape rankings in multiple divisions. The event promises a night of unforgettable fights, with top-tier athletes competing at the highest level. Stay connected with all the latest updates in the MMA world! Whether it’s the meteoric rise of new contenders, shocking upsets in the ring, or thrilling title defense, we’ve got the scoop for all MMA followers.
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev is a rare fighter, belt holder, and a Russian professional mixed martial artist. Islam Makhachev, an ethnic Lak, was born in Makhachkala and grew up in Burshi, Dagestan. Starting in taekwondo at age seven, he switched to sanda and mixed martial arts under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Makhachev was passionate about MMA from childhood, training while studying and working as a security guard. Makhachev is a former sambo competitor with an MMA career since 2010. Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, known for his unique grappling skills. He has a background in combat sambo, winning the world championship 2016. Makhachev boasts a 14-fight winning streak and has defended his title three times, making him a dominant force in the lightweight division. He won gold in the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship. Despite challenges, including a heart condition that prevented him from competing in the 2014 world championships, he persevered and achieved notable success in combat sports. Another one, Islam Makhachev, got the 2016 Petrozavodsk title with gold for their Russian Championship. He had had 12 consecutive victories from 2010 to 2015. Later, Makhachev in the UFC had his very first loss against Adriano Martins on October 3, 2015. After a loss, Islam Makhachev had 14 straight victories from 2016 to 2024. In history, MMA spotlight Makhachev UFC has only one loss in their present MMA career, which is very impressive, and they are vigorous fighters in the mixed martial arts world.
Arman Nairovich Tsarukyan is a unanimous fighter and an Armenian professional mixed martial artist. Arman Tsarukyan, born in a small Georgian town near the Armenian border, moved to Russia at age three for better opportunities. His father, Nairi Tsarukyan, is a construction businessman. Arman Tsarukyan, the middle child, initially pursued freestyle wrestling but later played ice hockey for a decade, including with the junior team of Hockey Club Amur. He eventually stopped hockey to help his father in construction. His MMA career started in 2015 with a win in their career opener. Then, Tsarukyan UFC lost over Alexander Belikh on December 12, 2015. After a loss, he improved to 12 consecutive victories from 2016 to 2018. Later, Arman Tsarukyan had inconsistent performances from 2019 to 2024. Arman Tsarukyan competes in the UFC Lightweight division and is ranked 1st in the lightweight rankings as of April 2024. He has a strong background in freestyle wrestling and played ice hockey during his youth. Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev in 2019, earning a Fight of the Night bonus despite the loss. Since then, he has achieved impressive victories, including a notable win over former champion Charles Oliveira, solidifying his position as a top contender in the division. Arman Tsarukyan has been ranked Master of Sport in MMA, Master of Sport in freestyle, and wrestling, with many rankings holding for their achievements in the UFC world. These two fighters are closely matched, with slight differences in their losses. Arman Tsarukyan, the junior, faces off against the senior title holder, Islam Makhachev.
UFC 311 Event Details
Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Date: January 18, 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 07:00 p.m. ET, 04:00 p.m. PT, 05:30 a.m. IST (next day)
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, United States
Where can I watch Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan?
Don’t worry if you miss UFC 311 live on TNT Sports! You can still catch all the action and highlights on the TNT Sports app. Relive the thrilling moments, knockout punches, and incredible submissions at your convenience. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the excitement!
Catch the UFC 311 main event between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan live on Discovery+ in Japan.
Get ready for the epic showdown at UFC 311! Watch the thrilling clash between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan live on the Sony Liv app. You can also catch all the action on Sony Sports Network. Brace yourself for an unforgettable fight night!
Witness the ultimate lightweight showdown! UFC 311 is coming to Canada. Catch all the action on Bell and enjoy a front-row seat to this incredible event!
Watch UFC 311 live in Australia on Foxtel and Kayo! Catch the epic matchup between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan on January 18, 2025. Don’t miss out on the action!
Brace yourself for UFC 311! Watch Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan in an epic battle on ESPN+. This highly anticipated rematch will define the UFC lightweight division.
Experience the thrill of UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan, live and global! With a UFC Fight Pass, you can catch all the action from anywhere worldwide.
Stream UFC 311 live on bet365.com for an electrifying experience! Engage in live betting and stay updated on all the action. Don’t miss the excitement as it happens on fight day!
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Fight Card
Main Card
Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (Lightweight)
Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill (Light Heavyweight)
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano (Lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight)
Prelims
Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac (Heavyweight)
Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
Early Prelims
Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira (Lightweight)
Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez (Women’s Bantamweight)
Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov (Bantamweight)
Ricky Turcios vs. Bernardo Sopaj (Bantamweight)
Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter (Flyweight)
Islam Makhachev Stats and Bio
Nationality: Russian
Age: 33
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 70″
Total Fights: 27
Record: 26-1-0 (5 knockouts)
Arman Tsarukyan Stats and Bio
Nationality: Armenian
Age: 28
Height: 5’7″
Reach: 72″
Total Fights: 25
Record: 22-3-0 (9 knockouts)
Merab Dvalishvili Stats and Bio
Nationality: Georgian and American
Age: 34
Height: 5’6″
Reach: 68″
Total Fights: 22
Record: 18-4-0 (3 knockouts)
Umar Nurmagomedov Stats and Bio
Nationality: Russian
Age: 29
Height: 5’8″
Reach: 69″
Total Fights: 18
Record: 18-0-0 (2 knockouts)
Prediction for UFC 311
Let’s dive into UFC 311! Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan are indeed for an exciting rematch. Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov will showcase their grappling skills in a highly anticipated bantamweight bout in the co-main event. Makhachev previously beaten Tsarukyan by unanimous decision in April 2019.
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, hails from Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, and is renowned for his unique grappling and wrestling skills honed through years of training in combat sambo. Makhachev’s primary strengths lie in his grappling and submission game, which he uses to secure victories. Over the years, his striking has significantly improved, making him a more well-rounded fighter. He said, “I knew it would be a tough fight, but my training and preparation paid off. Tsarukyan is a great fighter, and I respect him.” Makhachev’s weaknesses include struggles with weight cuts, affecting his performance, and vulnerability to strikes, especially when breaking away from clinches. Despite these challenges, his ability to manage weight cuts and his experience in high-stakes fights give him an advantage in handling pressure. Makhachev’s improved striking and Arman Tsarukyan’s evolved stand-up game make their rematch an intriguing matchup, as Tsarukyan is known for his striking and cardio. This fight will also set up potential matchups with other top contenders in the lightweight division.
Conversely, Arman Tsarukyan, hailing from Akhalkalaki, Georgia, is a rising star in the lightweight division known for his well-rounded skill set and relentless pressure. He has intense wrestling, striking, and cardio, making him a formidable opponent. Tsarukyan has evolved his striking game, allowing him to compete effectively on his feet while maintaining a robust grappling foundation to match top-tier wrestlers. Despite losing to Islam Makhachev, Tsarukyan remains a top contender and will likely face other high-ranked opponents. He stated, “I gave it my all, but Makhachev was the better man tonight. I’ll be back stronger.” In comparison, Tsarukyan UFC has less experience in high-stakes fights than Makhachev. Tsarukyan, a strong striker, sometimes leaves defensive openings. If he keeps the fight standing, he could secure a knockout. Both fighters have strong grappling, possibly leading to a striking battle. In their first fight, Makhachev’s control and takedowns led to his unanimous decision victory. This time, Islam Makhachev will not give their belt to their opponent, Arman Tsarukyan.
The Pick: Islam Makhachev via Submission
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC 311 is firm in delivering high-stakes matchups and thrilling action. Merab Dvalishvili, known for his relentless cardio and wrestling skills, commented, “It was a close fight, and I respect the judge’s decision. I’ll work harder and come back for the title.” Umar Nurmagomedov, an undefeated contender, is celebrated for his seamless blend of striking and grappling. His background in freestyle wrestling gives him a strong grappling foundation, making him formidable in clinches and on the ground. He excels at securing takedowns and controlling fights, showing remarkable resilience and the ability to absorb damage. However, Dvalishvili’s striking defense sometimes leaves openings for opponents to exploit. He has faced fewer elite strikers than grapplers, which could be a disadvantage against top-tier strikers. Nurmagomedov’s well-rounded skills make him a formidable opponent. Despite the loss, Dvalishvili remains a top contender and will likely face other high-ranked opponents as he backs up the rankings. He has expressed concerns about Nurmagomedov’s rapid rise to a title shot, which he feels is undeserved. UFC 311 promises to deliver high-octane action, making it a must-watch for die-hard MMA fans and casual viewers alike.
Conversely, Umar Nurmagomedov is an undefeated fighter known for his strong grappling and striking game, making him a well-rounded competitor. Some critics say he lacks experience against top-tier opponents. As the new bantamweight champion, Nurmagomedov has a target on his back. He said, “Becoming the champion is a dream come true.” His undefeated record showcases his dominance. He has striking accuracy and exceptional takedown defense, making him a versatile and unpredictable fighter. Training under the guidance of his cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov and coach Javier Mendez, Umar benefits from a wealth of experience and expertise. Though undefeated, Nurmagomedov UFC has faced fewer top-tier opponents, which some critics consider a disadvantage. High expectations come with the Nurmagomedov legacy, adding pressure. Despite his strong grappling, Nurmagomedov in the UFC has shown submission vulnerability. A victory for Dvalishvili would have solidified his position as the top bantamweight, while Nurmagomedov’s win established him as a new force in the division. Because of Umar Nurmagomedov, there has been no loss in their UFC history. UFC 311 delivered on its promise of unforgettable fights and high-level competition. With new champions crowned and top contenders emerging, the future of the UFC looks brighter than ever for both die-hard fans and casual viewers.
The Pick: Umar Nurmagomedov via decision
