The UFC is set to deliver a thrilling start to 2025 with UFC 311, taking place on January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This pay-per-view event will feature a highly anticipated main event where Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion and widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, defends his title against Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1 contender. Alongside this captivating showdown, fan-favorite Umar Nurmagomedov will seek his first championship gold in the co-main event as he challenges bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Their rematch is particularly compelling given the history between Makhachev and Tsarukyan. The two fighters last clashed in 2019, where Makhachev emerged victorious via unanimous decision. Since that bout, Tsarukyan has showcased his growth and skill, amassing an impressive record of nine wins in ten fights. His latest achievement—a nail-biting split-decision win against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300—has firmly positioned him as a legitimate threat to Makhachev’s reign.
While Makhachev enters the octagon with a staggering record of 26 wins and just one loss—his last defeat dating back nearly a decade—he carries the weight of 13 consecutive victories in lightweight title fights. A win against Tsarukyan not only solidifies his dominance but also sets him on course to break records in the lightweight division.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defends his title for the first time against the rising star Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili, belligerently nicknamed “The Machine,” is on a formidable ten-fight winning streak, the longest in the bantamweight division’s history. His decisive victory over Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC marked his ascent to the championship status, and he now faces Nurmagomedov, who has been undefeated in 18 professional fights.
Nurmagomedov, cousin to the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, has showcased relentless determination and skill. His unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen propelled him into the title conversation, further raising the stakes for this bout. Fans can expect an exhilarating clash of styles as both fighters look to imprint their legacies in the UFC.
UFC 311 promises an electrifying undercard with notable bouts that highlight the roster’s depth. Former light heavyweight champions Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka will face off in what is sure to be a blockbuster bout, while the dynamic Kevin Holland squares off against two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder. These matchups not only emphasize the competitive spirit of the fighters but are also a testament to the evolution and entertainment that the UFC consistently brings to its fans.
Overall, UFC 311 embodies the pinnacle of mixed martial arts excitement, marked by championship pursuits and epic rivalries. With the stakes at an all-time high, fight enthusiasts around the world eagerly await what promises to be a memorable card to kick off the new year.