UFC 311 Results: Dvalishvili outpaces Nurmagomedov, retains Bantamweight title

Merab Dvalishvili solidified his place atop the UFC bantamweight division with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of UFC 311.

The bout, held at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, saw Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) defend his title for the first time, earning scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) showed his striking prowess early, landing a powerful punch at the close of the opening round. The second round featured sharp exchanges and a scramble that briefly gave Nurmagomedov back control, though Dvalishvili escaped unscathed.

Dvalishvili shifted the momentum in the third round, completing a takedown on Nurmagomedov—the first time the challenger had been taken down in seven fights. Though the bout frequently returned to the feet, Dvalishvili’s relentless pace began to wear on his opponent.

In the championship rounds, Dvalishvili’s conditioning became the deciding factor. He consistently pushed the pace, landing significant strikes and securing takedowns while fending off Nurmagomedov’s grappling attempts. By the final round, Nurmagomedov appeared fatigued, allowing Dvalishvili to dominate the closing minutes and break Georges St-Pierre’s record for takedowns.

Dvalishvili acknowledged Nurmagomedov's resilience in his post-fight interview, while proclaiming himself to be the most hard-working Bantamweight on the roster.

The victory marks the first title defense for Dvalishvili, who won the belt at UFC 306 in September. Nurmagomedov, who revealed post-fight that he broke his hand in the first round, acknowledged the loss without protest and praised Dvalishvili’s performance.

With the win, Dvalishvili continues to prove why the “championship rounds” are his domain, showcasing a combination of endurance, skill, and determination that underscores his dominance in the bantamweight division.