UFC 311, the first pay-per-view event of 2025, unfolded at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, showcasing a night of thrilling matchups and unexpected turns. The main event spotlight shone on a lightweight title clash between reigning champion Islam Makhachev, the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter, and late replacement challenger Renato Moicano. Moicano stepped up on just a day’s notice after Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev’s original opponent, withdrew due to injury. This last-minute change injected an element of unpredictability into the headline bout, setting the stage for a potentially explosive encounter. The co-main event further amplified the excitement, featuring a bantamweight title showdown between undisputed champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia and the undefeated Russian challenger, Umar Nurmagomedov.
The preliminary card delivered its share of surprises and impactful moments. Raoni Barcelos, a seasoned Brazilian veteran, upset bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott, handing him the first defeat of his professional career. Barcelos executed his pre-fight strategy to perfection, utilizing his superior grappling skills to repeatedly take Talbott down and neutralize his striking power. Despite Talbott’s late surge in the final round, Barcelos maintained control, securing a dominant unanimous decision victory. This unexpected outcome underscored the unpredictable nature of the sport and highlighted Barcelos’s resilience and tactical prowess.
Elsewhere on the preliminary card, Azamat Bekoev made a memorable UFC debut, stepping in on short notice to deliver a brutal knockout victory over Zachary Reese. Bekoev, the LFA middleweight champion, capitalized on a ground exchange, unleashing a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes that rendered Reese unconscious. This decisive finish served as a powerful introduction for Bekoev on the UFC stage. Bogdan Guskov, an Uzbekistani light heavyweight, continued his impressive streak of finishes with a second-round submission victory over short-notice replacement Billy Elekana. Guskov’s relentless striking set up the finishing sequence, transitioning seamlessly to a guillotine choke to secure the win. Finally, lightweight contender Grant Dawson extended his winning form with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Ferreira, demonstrating his well-rounded skillset and solidifying his position as a rising force in the division.
The early preliminary bouts also provided their share of competitive action, with all four fights going the distance. Ailin Perez, an Argentinian fighter, maintained her impressive winning streak, defeating Brazilian contender Karol Rosa by unanimous decision. Perez’s victory, punctuated by her signature celebratory twerk, further cemented her status as a rising star. In a surprising upset, Muin Gafurov outworked highly-touted Japanese prospect Rinya Nakamura, handing him the first loss of his professional career. Gafurov’s strategic counter-striking and early knockdown proved pivotal in securing the unanimous decision victory.
Benardo Sopaj, representing Sweden, engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Ricky Turcios, ultimately emerging victorious with a unanimous decision win. And in the opening bout of the night, Tagir Ulanbekov, a flyweight protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, extended his impressive record with a unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated American, Clayton Carpenter. These early prelim results highlighted the depth of talent on display and set the stage for the exciting main card action to follow.
The UFC 311 fight card showcased a mix of established stars, rising contenders, and last-minute replacements, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and uncertainty. The main event, featuring the pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev against the resilient Renato Moicano, promised a high-stakes battle for the lightweight title. The co-main event, with Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight crown against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, further elevated the excitement surrounding the event. The preliminary and early preliminary bouts showcased a blend of thrilling finishes, dominant performances, and closely contested decisions, setting the tone for an unforgettable night of fights. The Intuit Dome provided a fitting backdrop for this high-profile event, marking another milestone in the UFC’s ongoing journey.
