UFC President Dana White lively announced the exciting main and co-main events for UFC 311, set to take place in Los Angeles, California, on January 18, 2025. The landmark event will feature two championship bouts, heightening the anticipation among fans and fighters alike. The main event will showcase a highly-anticipated rematch between the reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Arman Tsarukyan. Their first clash in April 2019 ended in a unanimous decision victory for Makhachev, a contest that was celebrated with a Fight of the Night award. Since their initial meeting, Tsarukyan has demonstrated exceptional growth, compiling an impressive record of 9 wins and 1 loss, including recent victories over notable opponents Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira, both of which earned him Performance of the Night bonuses. Meanwhile, Makhachev has cemented himself as a dominant force in the lightweight division, boasting an undefeated streak of nine fights, which includes winning the championship title.
The co-main event features bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defending his title against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. This rivalry has intensified following Dvalishvili’s upset victory over Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC in September. Nurmagomedov, alongside his manager Ali Abdelaziz, has been vocal on social media, taunting Dvalishvili and stoking the competitive fire leading up to this matchup. Known for his relentless wrestling abilities, Nurmagomedov’s grappling prowess is showcased in his perfect record of 18-0, with seven of those victories coming by means of submission. The stakes are high in this bout as both fighters aim to cement their legacies in the bantamweight division, and the anticipation is palpable within the MMA community.
UFC 311 will also mark the inaugural event hosted at the Intuit Dome, a venue that has been generating significant buzz in the lead-up to the fight card. The new arena will not only be home to UFC 311 but also to the premiere episode of WWE’s Monday Night Raw streamed live on Netflix just 12 days prior. The multi-purpose facility is set to elevate the excitement surrounding the event and showcases the growing popularity of combat sports in Los Angeles. With the careful selection of the venue, the UFC aims to provide a thrilling experience for fans attending the event and further solidify its presence on the West Coast.
The stacked UFC 311 card includes a thrilling mix of established stars and promising up-and-comers, all competing across multiple weight classes. Alongside the title fights, fans can look forward to matchups such as heavyweights Jailton Almeida versus Serghei Spivac and light heavyweights Jiří Procházka facing off against Jamahal Hill. Both bouts promise exhilarating action and highlight the depth and competitiveness within the UFC’s roster. Other exciting matchups on the card include Kevin Holland versus Reinier de Ridder in the middleweight division and a bantamweight clash featuring Rinya Nakamura and Muin Gafurov. Each fight adds to the tapestry of the event, making UFC 311 a must-see for MMA fans.
The lighter weight classes will also make their presence felt at UFC 311, with various intriguing bouts set to unfold. Notable matchups include Johnny Walker taking on Bogdan Guskov in the light heavyweight division and Karol Rosa squaring off against Ailín Pérez in the women’s bantamweight category. The card will also feature several bantamweight battles, including Zachary Reese versus Sedriques Dumas, Payton Talbott against Raoni Barcelos, and Ricky Turcios clashing with Bernardo Sopaj. These matchups highlight the talent and competitiveness in the bantamweight ranks and emphasize the depth of the event’s card.
UFC 311 promises to deliver thrilling fights, drama, and monumental moments for fans and fighters alike. With two championship bouts headlining an exciting fight card and the spotlight on Los Angeles’s new Intuit Dome, there is an unparalleled energy permeating through the buildup to the event. As top fighters prepare to showcase their skills, the anticipation and excitement surrounding UFC 311 continue to grow, ensuring mixed martial arts fans will not want to miss this unforgettable night of action and competition in 2025.
