UFC 311: Date, UK start time, undercard and how to follow as Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili defend titles
The first major UFC event of 2025 is almost here as Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev, who boasts an incredible record of 26-1-0, is now one of the best fighters in the world and he’s set to meet an old rival. Makhachev is ready for his fourth title defence against a familiar faceGetty The Russian was only taking part in his seventh UFC bout when he first clashed with Tsarukyan, winning by unanimous decision in 2019. Since then, he’s won the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira and defended it three times, twice against Alexander Volkanovski and once against Dustin Poirier last year. He’ll be aiming to defend it yet again and make history against his Armenian foe who beat Oliveira in his last fight, making it four victories in a row. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov looking to defend his bantamweight crown after winning it off Sean O’Malley. UFC 311: Date and how to follow The main event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The early preliminary card is set to get started at around 11pm UK time before the preliminary fights start at 1am on Sunday morning. The main card should get going at around 3am on Sunday UK time. Fans can watch the preliminary action on the UFC Fight Pass and you can sign up here. The main card will be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+. Details on how to sign up can be found here. talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the action. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM. Dvalishvili dominated O’Malley to win the bantamweight titleGetty UFC 311: Fight card Subject to change Main card MAIN EVENT: Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan – for UFC Lightweight title Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov – for UFC bantamweight title Beneil Darisuh vs Renato Moicano Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder Preliminary card Johnny Walker vs Bogdan Guskov Payton Talbott vs Raoni Barcelos Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac Zachary Reese vs Sedriques Dumas Early preliminary card Grant Dawson vs Diego Ferreria Karol Rosa vs Ailin Perez Rinya Nakamura vs Muin Gafurov Ricky Turcios vs Bernardo Sopaj Tagir Ulanbekov vs Clayton Carpenter UFC 311: What has been said? Makhachev has admitted that Tsarukyan deserves the rematch for the title and he’s expecting an incredible fight. He said: “Honestly, I knew, like five-six months ago it was gonna be Arman, because he’s the number-one contender right now, and he really deserves to fight for the title. “I’ve said all my fight career, I want to fight with a real contender, or a real fighter who deserves a title fight. That’s why I think he’s deserved [his shot]. “It’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans, because he has all the skills. He’s good in the striking, he’s good in the wrestling, the grappling. “That’s why it’s going to be two high-level fighters fighting.”
The first major UFC event of 2025 is almost here as Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan.
Makhachev, who boasts an incredible record of 26-1-0, is now one of the best fighters in the world and he’s set to meet an old rival.
The Russian was only taking part in his seventh UFC bout when he first clashed with Tsarukyan, winning by unanimous decision in 2019.
Since then, he’s won the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira and defended it three times, twice against Alexander Volkanovski and once against Dustin Poirier last year.
He’ll be aiming to defend it yet again and make history against his Armenian foe who beat Oliveira in his last fight, making it four victories in a row.
In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov looking to defend his bantamweight crown after winning it off Sean O’Malley.
UFC 311: Date and how to follow
The main event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The early preliminary card is set to get started at around 11pm UK time before the preliminary fights start at 1am on Sunday morning.
The main card should get going at around 3am on Sunday UK time.
Fans can watch the preliminary action on the UFC Fight Pass and you can sign up here. The main card will be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+. Details on how to sign up can be found here.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the action.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
UFC 311: Fight card
Subject to change
Main card
- MAIN EVENT: Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan – for UFC Lightweight title
- Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov – for UFC bantamweight title
- Beneil Darisuh vs Renato Moicano
- Jiri Prochazka vs Jamahal Hill
- Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder
Preliminary card
- Johnny Walker vs Bogdan Guskov
- Payton Talbott vs Raoni Barcelos
- Jailton Almeida vs Serghei Spivac
- Zachary Reese vs Sedriques Dumas
Early preliminary card
- Grant Dawson vs Diego Ferreria
- Karol Rosa vs Ailin Perez
- Rinya Nakamura vs Muin Gafurov
- Ricky Turcios vs Bernardo Sopaj
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs Clayton Carpenter
UFC 311: What has been said?
Makhachev has admitted that Tsarukyan deserves the rematch for the title and he’s expecting an incredible fight.
He said: “Honestly, I knew, like five-six months ago it was gonna be Arman, because he’s the number-one contender right now, and he really deserves to fight for the title.
“I’ve said all my fight career, I want to fight with a real contender, or a real fighter who deserves a title fight. That’s why I think he’s deserved [his shot].
“It’s gonna be a huge fight for the fans, because he has all the skills. He’s good in the striking, he’s good in the wrestling, the grappling.
“That’s why it’s going to be two high-level fighters fighting.”
