Tonight, Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 – on one day’s notice.
Makhachev was expecting to fight Arman Tsarukyan here, six years after outpointing him in a competitive bout, but the Armenian-Russian suffered a back injury on the eve of UFC 311. That injury ruled out Tsarukyan, leading Renato Moicano to be pulled from his planned fight versus Beneil Dariush and placed in the main event.
Brazil’s Moicano is on a four-fight win streak but faces a stern test against Makhachev; the Russian champion has won 14 fights in a row, including three successful title defences. Last time out, Makhachev – who is coached by childhood friend and UFC lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov – submitted Dustin Poirier, a former interim champion. Meanwhile, Moicano scored a TKO over Benoit Saint-Denis, beating the Frenchman in Paris.
Elsewhere at UFC 311, the co-main event pits Merab Dvalishvili against Umar Nurmagomedov, a cousin of Khabib – who will be in Umar and Makhachev’s corners tonight.
The unbeaten Umar challenges Dvalishvili for his bantamweight title in that bout, while the card also features Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder, Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill – a clash of former light-heavyweight champions – and more. Follow live updates and results from UFC 311, below.
UFC 311 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill
Standoff over, here we go. First round of a possible three – possible being the operative word there.
Jamahal Hill goes for some early leg kicks, something Rakic had success with in his outing with Prochazka last time. Prochazka responds with a right before the pair trade attempted overhands.
Then BOOM, a heavy left hook from Prochazka drops Hill! Prochazka tries to jump on Hill and finish the fight but Hill recovers well, getting back to his feet. Hill then eats another stiff shot but is fighting back.
Prochazka connects one more time as the buzzer sounds. We expected fireworks, we’re getting fireworks.
Will Castle19 January 2025 04:15
UFC 311 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill
Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill are next up, and I am personally salivating at the opportunity to see these two throw hands.
Both are looking to regain a foothold in the LHW title picture after falling at the feet of the formidable Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira, and with a hell of a lot on the line, expect these two former champs to go hell for leather.
A fight involving Prochazka rarely fails to disappoint – just look at his most recent bout against Rakic for reference.
Expect fireworks in this one.
Will Castle19 January 2025 04:05
UFC 311 LIVE: Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac
Jailton Almeida has called out Ciryl Gane following a dominant TKO win over Serghei Spivac – while also making sure to put the feelers out for a potential title fight with Tom Aspinall.
“Ciryl Gane, stop running away – Brazil, France, wherever they want,” he said.
“And just in case that fight involving Tom Aspinall doesn’t happen – Tom Aspinall, I’m at your disposal for whenever you need.”
Will Castle19 January 2025 04:04
UFC 311 LIVE: Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac
Spivac succeeds with a very early takedown, getting Almeida to the mat almost effortlessly. Spivac establishes further control before hammering down vicious shots on the skull of his Brazilian opponent.
Almeida then manages to adjust and gain top control himself before taking the back. The pair soon return to the feet and Almeida connects with a HEAVY combination, rocking the retreating Spivac.
Smelling blood, Almeida brings the bout back to the mat and takes the back once again, flattening Spivac out face down. With 10 seconds on the clock, Almeida lands shot after shot to the side of the head, leading the referee to step in and call the fight!
Jailton Almeida def. Serghei Spivac via first round TKO (ground strikes, 4:53)
Really impressive from Almeida. His stock at heavyweight is very much on the rise.

Will Castle19 January 2025 03:56
UFC 311 LIVE: Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac
Next up: we’ve got a heavyweight hard-hitter as Jailton Almeida takes on Serghei Spivac.
This could be a fight with serious ramifications at HW – other than Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane, Almeida is the highest-ranked fighter to have not been finished by Tom Aspinall.
With Jones continuing to insist he won’t fight Aspinall to unify the belts, and Gane nursing injury, a win for Almeida could push him into the title picture…
Will Castle19 January 2025 03:40
UFC 311 LIVE: Reinier de Ridder vs Kevin Holland
Reinier de Ridder isn’t messing about – he wants a top five fight, and he wants it soon.
“Everybody and anybody,” he said. “I can be quick, so if you have a nice matchup for me, hopefully top five, give me a chance.”

Will Castle19 January 2025 03:31
UFC 311 LIVE: Reinier de Ridder vs Kevin Holland
De Ridder lands the single leg takedown immediately and shrugs off Holland’s sprawling attempts to get back to his feet. The Dutchman begins to connect with ground strikes but is wary of Holland’s flailing legs, which look to land flush on chin every time space is created between the pair.
De Ridder gets the back and fully locks in the body triangle. Holland is going nowhere. The Dutch Knight gets under the chin with the rear naked choke and opting not to go to sleep, Holland taps. Just like that, EMPHATIC.
Reinier de Ridder def. Kevin Holland via first round submission (rear naked choke, 3:31)

Will Castle19 January 2025 03:28
UFC 311 LIVE: Main card time!
Adjust your sets, ready yourself for action. It’s time for tonight’s main card.
Up first: it’s one of the UFC’s marquee signings of 2024 as Reinier de Ridder squares off against fan favourite Kevin Holland at middleweight.
A former ONE Championship two-divisional champion, ‘The Dutch Knight’ comes into the fight off a debut submission win over Gerald Meerschaert in November. Now comes a chance to truly stamp his mark at 185.
Meanwhile, Holland will be looking to get back to winning ways after a freak rib injury forced him to quit just a round into his fight against Roman Dolidze in October.

Will Castle19 January 2025 03:12
UFC 311 LIVE: Can Moicano do the unthinkable?
Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Renato Moicano in tonight’s main event – on one day’s notice.
Brazil’s Moicano is on a four-fight win streak but faces a stern test against Makhachev; the Russian champion has won 14 fights in a row, including three successful title defences.
It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for ‘Money’ Moicano – can he make it count against the pound-for-pound best?

Will Castle19 January 2025 03:07