UFC 311: Winners, Losers, and Biggest Takeaways
UFC 311 brought a diverse lineup of fights to the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with results that reshaped the landscape of several divisions. The event was marked by strategic victories, decisive finishes, and standout moments that showed the evolving skill set of today’s fighters. In this article, we’ll break down all of the action and what it could mean for the UFC moving forward.
Islam Makhachev Def. Renato Moicano
Credit: Instagram
When Islam Makhachev walked into the Octagon to face Renato Moicano, the question wasn’t whether he’d win but how he’d do it. Moicano, having stepped in on short notice, was game but overmatched. Makhachev wasted no time asserting control and used his signature grappling to set up a seamless D’Arce choke in the first round. This victory marked his fourth successful title defense.
Merab Dvalishvili Def. Umar Nurmagomedov
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In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili faced a daunting test against Umar Nurmagomedov, a fighter whose undefeated record spoke volumes. What unfolded was a five-round battle that showed everyone Dvalishvili’s unparalleled cardio and relentless wrestling. He secured a unanimous decision with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, which helped him retain his title.
Jiri Prochazka Def. Jamahal Hill
Credit: X
If there’s one thing you can count on with Jiri Prochazka, it’s unpredictability. Facing former champion Jamahal Hill, Prochazka delivered the kind of chaos that has made him a fan favorite. After two rounds of back-and-forth action, he found his moment in the third and secured a TKO with a spinning elbow followed by brutal ground-and-pound.
Jailton Almeida Def. Serghei Spivac
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The heavyweight division has a new contender to watch. Jailton Almeida entered his bout against Serghei Spivac with high expectations, and he exceeded them with a dominant first-round TKO. The match ended as quickly as it began.
Reinier de Ridder Def. Kevin Holland
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Reinier de Ridder’s middleweight bout against Kevin Holland made him one of the most dangerous grapplers in MMA. With precision and patience, de Ridder secured a rear-naked choke in the first round and forced Holland to tap.
Raoni Barcelos Def. Payton Talbott
Credit: MMA junkie
On the prelims, Raoni Barcelos turned back the clock with a dominant performance against the previously unbeaten Payton Talbott. Barcelos used his experience and fight IQ to control every aspect of the fight. The scorecards—30-26 and two 30-27s—show just how one-sided this fight was.
Azamat Bekoev Def. Zach Reese
Credit: MMA junkie
Sometimes, all it takes is one punch. Azamat Bekoev’s first-round knockout of Zach Reese was a thing of beauty. Timing, precision, and devastating power all came together in a single moment that left Reese unconscious and the crowd roaring.
Bogdan Guskov Def. Billy Elekana
Credit: MMA junkie
Bogdan Guskov added another win to his record with a second-round guillotine choke against Billy Elekana. The submission showed his ability to capitalize on even the smallest mistakes, which helped him turn what had been a competitive fight into a definitive victory.
Grant Dawson Def. Diego Ferreira
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Grant Dawson’s unanimous decision win over Diego Ferreira was a masterclass in control. Over three rounds, Dawson dictated the pace and used his wrestling to neutralize Ferreira’s striking and ground game.
Ailin Perez Def. Karol Rosa
Credit: Youtube
Ailin Perez’s victory over Karol Rosa put her grit and adaptability on full display. The judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 in Perez’s favor. Perez’s striking and movement were key to her success, and this win could be the start of a promising run.
Muin Gafarov Def. Rinya Nakamura
Credit: MMA junkie
Muin Gafurov’s unanimous decision victory over Rinya Nakamura wasn’t over the top, but it was effective. HIs steady output and ability to control the fight’s tempo earned him 30-27 scores from all three judges.
Bernardo Sopaj Def. Ricky Turcios
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Bernardo Sopaj’s fight against Ricky Turcios was full to the brim with technical precision and perseverance. Sopaj earned a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 and used his striking and takedown defense to keep Turcios on the back foot.
Tagir Ulanbekov Def. Clayton Carpenter
Credit: MMA junkie
In a flyweight bout, Tagir Ulanbekov secured a unanimous decision win over Clayton Carpenter with scores of 30-27 and 29-28. Ulanbekov’s ability to control the pace and dictate where the fight took place was very important in shaping the match.
