As UFC 311 approaches, the anticipation builds with a main card stacked with pivotal clashes. At the heart of the event is the lightweight championship fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev, holding an impressive record of 26 wins and a single loss, has shown dominance in the division, marked by a nine-fight winning streak that includes high-profile wins over fighters like Dustin Poirier. His grappling and increasingly potent striking make him a formidable champion.
Moicano comes in on short notice following Arman Tsarukyan's withdrawal. With a win over Benoit Saint-Denis back in September, Moicano has been thrown into the mix replacing his former matchup with Beneil Dariush.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is set to defend his title against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili, riding an 11-fight win streak, has recently secured wins against MMA stalwarts such as Henry Cejudo and José Aldo. His relentless wrestling and cardio have been key to his ascent. Nurmagomedov enters the cage undefeated, blending meticulous grappling with strategic striking, which has seen him rise rapidly through the ranks.
The light heavyweight bout between former champions Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill promises fireworks. Both fighters have experienced setbacks against the current champion Alex Pereira but have held the title and know what it takes to win at the highest level. Prochazka, known for his unpredictable striking and formidable power, faces Hill, who has demonstrated knockout power and resilience in his recent outings.
Opening the main card, Kevin Holland takes on Reinier de Ridder in a classic striker versus grappler matchup. Holland, known for his striking flair and agility, looks to overcome a recent TKO loss and prove his mettle against de Ridder, a grappling specialist who secured a win in his UFC debut after dominating the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions in ONE FC.
Each fight on UFC 311’s main card not only offers a compelling stylistic matchup but also crucial career implications for all fighters involved, making this one of the must-watch events of the year for MMA fans.