UFC 311 certainly delivered with some incredible moments as the Intuit Dome was treated to surprising underdog wins, thrilling fights, and astounding stoppages. Here is everything that happened in the first PPV event of 2025.
early prelims
Tagir Ulanbekov vs Clayton Carpenter (Flyweight Bout) - Ulanbekov wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Ulanbekov increased his winning streak to three after a comfortable decision victory over Carpenter. The Russian was able to get three takedowns on his opponent as his wrestling was a key aspect to his victory with gave Carpenter no chance of succeeding. Ulanbekov remains to be the #11 Flyweight contender and will hope to soon fight a higher ranked fighter to put himself one step closer to a title shot.
Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj (Bantamweight Bout) - Sopaj wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The Lion King won big in California after earning his first victory in the UFC when he defeated Turcios by a decision. Sopaj pulled out all the fancy work to make sure he would get the win as right at the end of the third round, he managed to hit a Rolling Thunder, before locking in a Triangle Choke. The Albanian will have most likely grown confidence and will look to be more active in 2025.
Muin Gafurov vs Rinya Nakamura (Bantamweight Bout) - Gafurov wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Gafurov put himself on a two-fight winning streak after becoming the first man to defeat Nakamura as once again, he went the distance. The Tajik came close to stopping the Japanese fighter in the first round when he landed a wicked overhand right, but was unable to do enough damage on the ground and pound. With such a prestigious win for the Bantamweight, he will be more than ready for his next challenge.
Karol Rosa vs Ailin Perez (Women's Bantamweight Bout) - Perez wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Perez made it five consecutive wins after triumphing on the judges scorecards with a decision win over Rosa. The Argentinian's grappling became key in this fight as it gave Rosa no chance, plus, Fiona was not afraid to strike with her opponent on the feet despite being an underdog on that department. The #13 Women's Bantamweight contender will be rising up to the top 10 in the 135-pound rankings as Perez looks to be the next best thing in the division.
preliminary card
Grant Dawson vs Diego Ferreira (Lightweight Bout) - Dawson wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
KGD put on a wrestling masterclass at UFC 311 after beating Ferreira very convincingly by unanimous decision. The Cambria-born fighter's aim was to take the battle to the ground as once Ferreira was down on his back, there was no way he was going to get back up. Dawson has been hopeful to return to the Lightweight rankings and after calling out Beneil Dariush in the post-fight interview, it will definitely be a big step up.
Bogdan Guskov vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight Bout) - Guskov wins via Guillotine Choke (R2, 3:33).
Guskov kept his 100% finish rate in MMA after submitting Elekana in round two. The Uzbekistan fighter was surprisingly taken down and out-grappled for most of the first round, before he soon turned the tables with a couple of strikes and a submission attempt which would see the one-week noticed fighter helpless. The #13 Light Heavyweight contender is still up for facing his original opponent, Johnny Walker, as he wants to rise up the rankings.
Zachary Reese vs Azamat Bekoev (Middleweight Bout) - Bekoev wins via TKO (R1, 3:04).
Bekoev captured the biggest win of his MMA career after succeeding on his UFC debut with a surprising first-round knockout. The Russian managed to get a takedown early in round one before unleashing a vicious ground and pound which saw Reese get knocked out cold. With such an impressive win on his first appearance in the organisation, Bekoev may just be seen as the next big prospect if he continues his good form this year.
Payton Talbott vs Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight Bout) - Barcelos wins via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26).
Barcelos pulled off an upset victory after becoming the first fighter to defeat eye-catching prospect Talbott. The Brazilian mixed martial artist made the fight tough for Talbott, taking down his opponent eight times and came close to submitting him on two occasions. With such a shocking and dominant performance, Barcelos has proved that he is no easy fighter to compete with in the Bantamweight division.
main card
Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight Bout) - de Ridder wins via Rear-naked Choke (R1, 3:31).
RDR made it 2-0 in the UFC after picking up a valuable first-round submission win over Holland. The Dutchman managed to takedown the Trailblazer twice, before locking in a Rear-Naked Choke which would be the beginning of the end for the active UFC fighter. De Ridder is already looking like a possible Middleweight contender as hopes to take on a ranked fighter in his next bout.
Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac (Heavyweight Bout) - Almeida wins via TKO (R1, 4:53).
Almeida gets back-to-back first-round stoppages after earning his eighth TKO win over Spivac. Malhadinho and The Polar Bear would have a back-and-forth battle when it came to wrestling, but the Brazilian would cause trouble for Spivac before taking him down and finishing him with seven seconds left of the fight. The #6 Heavyweight contender is eyeing up a potential fight with Ciryl Gane as he wants to boost up near the top of the rankings, putting himself closer to a title shot.
Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill (Light Heavyweight Bout) - Prochazka wins via TKO (R3, 3:01).
Prochazka redeemed himself in a crazy three-round war with Hill as he managed to end the battle by TKO in the third round. The Czech Republican knocked down Sweet Dreams in the first round and after slightly struggling to avoid the strikes of Hill in the second round, he would soon turn things around again as he knocked down the former champion once more before securing the victory. The #2 Light Heavyweight contender wants his revenge against Alex Pereira, but he may have to have one more battle before making it possible.
Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight Title Bout) - Dvalishvili wins via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
In a thrilling five-round battle, Dvalishvili would prove to be too much for Nurmagomedov as he made his first successful title defence and became the first man to defeat the Russian. The Machine's cardio was a clear advantage as he troubled Nurmagomedov both on the ground and on the feet, proving why he should never have been the underdog in this bout. The UFC Bantamweight Champion is looking to become the greatest 135-pounder and after a performance like that, it does seem very likely that it is going to happen.
Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano (Lightweight Title Bout) - Makhachev wins via D'Arce Choke (R1, 4:05).
Makhachev made quick work of two-days noticed Moicano with an impressive submission victory which allowed him to break the record for most UFC Lightweight title wins. The Makhachkala mixed martial artist did not rush for a takedown, but once he secured it, it was game over for Moicano as Makhachev locked in a D'Arce Choke which would leave the Brazilian going nowhere. There are questions as to who the King of the Lightweights should fight next as it may be either against his original opponent for UFC 311, Arman Tsarukyan, or a long-awaited rematch with former champion, Charles Oliveira.
Performance of the Night bonuses:
- Jiri Prochazka
- Jailton Almeida
Fight of the Night bonus:
- Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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