UFC 311 | HOF

Fights to Make After UFC 311

UFC 311 delivered intense action and significant outcomes that reshaped the landscape of multiple divisions. Here’s a professional breakdown of the key fighters and the matchups that make the most sense moving forward.

Photo | Getty Images

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev’s dominant first-round submission victory over Renato Moicano reaffirmed his status as the lightweight king. With limited immediate options in the lightweight division, two potential paths emerge:

  • Option 1: Face the winner of Arman Tsarukyan vs. Charles Oliveira 2, a fight expected to crown a clear top contender.
  • Option 2: Test himself at welterweight against the winner of Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov. This move would showcase Makhachev’s skills against larger opponents and add a new layer to his legacy.

The rumored middleweight bout against Dricus Du Plessis remains highly unlikely due to significant size and division disparities.

Moicano | UFC Zuffa

Renato Moicano

Despite a tough loss to Makhachev, Renato Moicano remains a fan favorite. Rebooking the previously canceled fight with Beneil Dariush makes sense. This matchup offers Moicano a chance to reestablish himself against a high-level opponent while giving Dariush a meaningful fight to stay in contention. An April or May event would be an ideal stage for this bout.

  • Option 1: Beneil Dariush rebooking

Photo | MMA Junkie

Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili’s victory over Umar Nurmagomedov solidified his position as a top contender. Two exciting options stand out:

  • Option 1: A rematch with Yan is what many fans want to see, believing that Yan can address the mistakes from their first fight and bring a renewed strategy to combat Merab’s relentless pace. This fight could headline or co-main a major summer card.
  • Option 2: A cross-divisional superfight against the flyweight champion offers a unique challenge for both fighters and the chance to keep both divisions active. This fight could take place at International Fight Week as a co-main event.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Umar Nurmagomedov

Umar Nurmagomedov showcased his potential despite a loss to Merab. A fight against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the bantamweight division offers a thrilling stylistic matchup. This could serve as a Fight Night main event or feature bout on a pay-per-view, with title implications for the winner.

  • Option 1: Deiveson Figueiredo

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Jiri Procházka

Jiri Procházka’s third-round TKO victory over Jamahal Hill displayed his ever-evolving skill set. The logical next step is a title eliminator against the winner of Jan Błachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg, set to take place in March. A potential matchup in Prague or Warsaw later in 2025 could energize the European MMA scene.

  • Option 1: Winner of Jan Błachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jamahal Hill

After a tough loss to Procházka, Jamahal Hill must regroup. A bout against Khalil Rountree Jr., another top contender coming off a loss, offers both fighters a chance to rebound. Scheduling this fight for a July pay-per-view event would allow adequate recovery and training time.

  • Option 1: Khalil Rountree Jr.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida’s first-round TKO of Sergey Spivak positioned him as a serious threat in the heavyweight division. Ciryl Gane, who needs to prove his ability to handle grapplers, presents the perfect challenge. A UFC Paris main event would give this matchup the spotlight it deserves.

  • Option 1: Ciryl Gane

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Payton Talbott

Despite his recent setback, Payton Talbott remains a promising talent. Pairing him with Cody Garbrandt, who is also coming off a loss, creates an intriguing narrative. This bout could headline the prelims of International Fight Week, offering a mix of name recognition and redemption.

  • Option 1: Cody Garbrandt

Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!

By Published On: January 20th, 2025Categories: Latest UFC News: Results, Rumors & More at Home Of Fight