Nurmagomedov Team’s Mixed UFC 311 Results
Published ahead of UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, this preview pointed to a possible landmark night for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team: Islam Makhachev was set to defend his lightweight title, while Umar Nurmagomedov entered his first UFC championship bout unbeaten. The results were mixed: Makhachev retained his belt, but Merab Dvalishvili defeated Umar by unanimous decision. UFC’s official results record both outcomes.
Two title fights, two different outcomes
Makhachev’s opponent changed late in fight week. Arman Tsarukyan withdrew for medical reasons, and Renato Moicano stepped in on short notice. Makhachev submitted Moicano with a D’Arce choke at 4:05 of the first round, retaining the lightweight championship. The card still delivered a title defense for one of the team’s leading fighters, though the matchup was not the one originally anticipated.
Umar’s unbeaten run ends
Umar challenged bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event. Dvalishvili won a competitive five-round fight by unanimous decision, handing Umar the first defeat of his professional career. UFC’s official scorecards show two judges scoring it 48–47 and one 49–46 for Dvalishvili.
A notable night for the team
The Nurmagomedov camp entered UFC 311 with a chance to leave with two champions. In hindsight, the event instead paired Makhachev’s successful defense with Umar’s first loss. That contrast captures the stakes of championship fights: a title was retained, while a contender’s unbeaten record and championship bid both came to an end.
Sources
- UFC: UFC 311 main-card results
- UFC: Official UFC 311 judges’ scorecards
- UFC: Umar Nurmagomedov’s UFC 311 title-fight preview
- UFC: Makhachev’s UFC 311 opponent change
