The night of Sunday, January 19, promises adrenaline-pumping action as UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 takes over the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Known as the home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and a future battleground for basketball during the 2028 Summer Olympics, this iconic venue will kickstart 2025 with an electrifying lineup of world-class fights.
Get ready for fireworks as we dive into the explosive matchups on the main card!
ISLAM MAKHACHEV 26 - 1 - 0 VS ARMAN TSARUKYAN 22 - 3 - 0
The highly anticipated UFC Lightweight Championship clash between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and surging contender Arman Tsarukyan is set to headline UFC 311. This bout marks a rematch of their 2019 encounter at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik, where Makhachev edged out a hard-fought unanimous decision victory.
Makhachev enters this bout riding high on the momentum of back-to-back dominant performances. His summer showcase at UFC 302 saw him dismantle UFC veteran Dustin Poirier, while his previous outing ended with a thunderous knockout of featherweight ace Alexander Volkanovski. With three successful title defenses under his belt, Makhachev has firmly established his reign over the lightweight division.
In a recent ESPN MMA interview with Daniel Cormier, Makhachev reflected on his career and the challenges ahead. The Dagestani powerhouse acknowledged that his first bout with Tsarukyan ranks among the toughest fights of his career—though not the toughest. That honor, Makhachev revealed, belongs to Alexander Volkanovski, whose unrelenting style in their initial clash pushed the champion to his limits.
Despite not labeling Tsarukyan as his most formidable rival, Makhachev expressed respect for the Armenian standout. He admitted that in their first meeting, he underestimated the then-debutant Tsarukyan. This time, however, Makhachev assured fans that he has done his homework and is fully prepared for what promises to be a high-stakes battle in the lightweight division.
MERAB DVALISHVILI 18 - 4 - 0 VS UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV 18 - 0 - 0
The co-main event of UFC 311 brings a blockbuster showdown for the UFC Bantamweight Championship, as reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili faces the undefeated phenom Umar Nurmagomedov. This clash is not just a battle for gold but a collision of two relentless forces in the division.
For Nurmagomedov, this title shot comes with its own drama. In a candid interview, he revealed that he sustained an injury late in 2024 and was advised to pull out of the fight. However, the undefeated contender couldn't pass up the chance at UFC gold. With Ramadan approaching in March, Nurmagomedov wanted to fight before his period of fasting and personally called his manager Ali Abdelaziz to demand the bout against Dvalishvili in January despite the risks.
Meanwhile, champion Merab Dvalishvili is wasting no time asserting his dominance. Fresh off his victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September, where he captured the bantamweight crown, Merab is ready to defend his title just four months later. The Georgian machine has no plans to slow down, making it clear he wants 2025 to be his most active year yet.
“I want to win this fight and stay busy in 2025,” Dvalishvili declared in a recent UFC interview. “I’m fighting early this year, January 18, and I want to keep fighting. O’Malley wants to return in April. I think Petr Yan is ready in March. So maybe I take Petr in March, rematch O’Malley in April, and whoever’s next after that. I’ll clean out the division again.”
This high-stakes battle pits Nurmagomedov’s precision and technique against Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and cardio, making it a fight fans won’t want to miss.
JIŘÍ PROCHÁZKA 30 - 5 - 0 VS JAMAHAL HILL 12 - 2 - 0
Jamahal Hill is feeling like himself again as he prepares to face Jiří Procházka at UFC 311. With just three weeks until fight night, the former light heavyweight champion is determined to defeat Procházka and earn another shot at reclaiming the title from Alex Pereira. Both Hill and Procházka are coming off losses to the Brazilian champion—Hill suffered a brutal first-round KO at UFC 300, while Procházka fell to a second-round TKO at UFC 303. For both fighters, this clash is critical to proving they still belong at the top of the light heavyweight division.
In an interview with Wood TV8, Hill emphasized the high stakes of the matchup. "This fight is just as important for him as it is for me.” Hill said, acknowledging the shared pressure. He also highlighted how he and Procházka have been on a collision course for years, with their meeting long overdue. "Finally, we get to step into the cage and settle this. It’s time to see who deserves the next title shot.” Hill declared, ready to show the world he’s still a force to be reckoned with at 205 pounds.
**KEVIN HOLLAND 26 - 12 - 0 VS REINIER DE RIDDER 18 - 2 - 0 **
Kevin Holland is fired up to face former ONE champion Reinier de Ridder in what promises to be an explosive matchup. After a strong year for the UFC in 2024, Holland is determined to kick off 2025 in style. However, he enters this bout looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Roman Dolidze at UFC 307, a fight where a rib injury forced him to retire early.
Meanwhile, de Ridder is riding high after a sensational UFC debut, submitting Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night in November. Before joining the UFC, the Dutchman built an impressive legacy in ONE Championship, claiming both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles to cement his status as one of the sport’s elite.
Now, Holland is set to test himself against the two-division ONE champion. Despite his recent injury, Holland assures fans that he's ready. "I could’ve taken a few more weeks to heal, but when the UFC calls, I’m not the guy who says no.” Holland shared on the Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry. Known for his fearless approach and entertaining style, Holland is eager to prove he’s back to full strength and ready to spoil de Ridder’s momentum.
