The first PPV of 2024 raises the bar as it showcases four reigning and former champions!
Back in the early days, a UFC pay-per-view might feature one championship fight if fans were lucky. Those events would draw decent crowds, but nothing like what we see today. The sport has grown so much that having multiple champions on one card has become the new normal.
And UFC 311 delivers on that front. The UFC is kicking off 2025 with a bang at the brand-new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. There will be not one but two title fights in the arena.
Moreover, four current and former champions are featured on this card!
Also Read: UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev’s Top 5 Funny Moments
The main event features UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defending his crown against Arman Tsarukyan. Their first fight in 2019 was so good it won Fight of the Night. Makhachev won that one, but he probably didn’t expect Tsarukyan to come storming back into his life with a four-fight win streak.
The co-main event brings us another banger, with UFC Bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili putting his belt on the line against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili is still fresh off snagging the title from Sean O’Malley. Nurmagomedov has been calling for this shot after beating Cory Sandhagen, and he finally gets his wish.
But there is more! Fans will witness former light heavyweight champ Jiri Procházka taking on another former LHW champ in Jamahal Hill. The lightweight division gets more action at UFC 311 with Beneil Dariush facing Renato Moicano, and Kevin Holland takes on Reinier de Ridder to the middleweight party.
The best part about this card is how it mixes established champions with hungry challengers. Fans have got Islam Makhachev riding high on a 14-fight win streak, while guys like Tsarukyan and Umar Nurmagomedov are trying to prove they are the next big thing.
It’s the classic story of the king defending his castle against the young knight, times two. And January 18th can’t come soon enough!
(Image Credits: Jasmin Frank – Imagn)
