Dvalishvili will also need to be mindful inside of scrambles given his propensity to expose his back when returning to standing positions. As Nurmagomedov has already shown in the octagon, the Dagestani fighter is incredibly systematic and effective when it comes to breaking down his opponents from rear mount and riding positions.

Umar Nurmagomedov was the perfect fighter in the early rounds against UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. While fatigue did not make a coward of Nurmagomedov, it certainly caused his downfall at UFC 311 on Saturday as Dvalishvili outpointed his foe en route to a unanimous decision win (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the bantamweight title.

In the co-main event of UFC 311, the bantamweight title is on the line. The two most dominant forces in the bantamweight division will clash as the champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4) takes on his toughest test in the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0).

Ilia Topuria, Dricus Du Plessis, and more react to Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili earned the first defense of his belt with a grueling decision over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

Umar Nurmagomedov suffered his first career loss and a broken hand as he lost to UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.

Headlining the card is a battle for the undisputed UFC lightweight title as reigning champion and No. 1-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, Islam Makhachev, puts his 155-po

Merab Dvalishvili recent reply to Umar Nurmagomedov after being questioned about his love for Georgia leaves the everyone baffled.

Check out the best photos from Merab Dvalishvili's win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (Fight and venue photos by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Sports)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev submitted 10th-ranked Renato Moicano at 4:05 of the first round Saturday night at UFC 311 for his 15th straight victory. It didn’t take long for Makhachev (27-1-0) after he took down Moicano (20-6-1), as he quickly administered a D’Arce choke.

Dana White denies Arman Tsarukyan a title shot against Islam Makhachev, stating the rising contender won’t get his chance yet.