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UFC 311 Aftermath: Ranking Updates Following Makhachev vs. Moicano

UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano took place on January 18, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, delivering electrifying moments that reshaped the UFC rankings. Here's a closer look at the key changes.

Islam Makhachev, who already held the record for most successful lightweight title defenses, solidified his dominance with a clinical first-round finish over Renato Moicano. Moicano stepped in on short notice for Arman Tsarukyan, but Makhachev’s relentless improvements make him an immovable force at the top. The champion retains his spot at #3 on the pound-for-pound list, behind Jon Jones and Alex Pereira.

In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov in a high-paced battle. Dvalishvili’s cardio, wrestling, and striking overwhelmed Nurmagomedov, cementing his place as the undisputed king at 135 lbs. He also rises one spot to #7 in the pound-for-pound rankings, swapping places with Belal Muhammad, who had a quieter showing this month.

One of the night's biggest ranking shake-ups came in the light heavyweight division. Jiri Prochazka defeated Jamahal Hill in a third-round TKO victory, moving Prochazka closer to a rematch with champion Alex Pereira. Hill remains at #2, but Prochazka’s performance strengthens his claim as the division's most dangerous contender.

In the heavyweight division, Jailton Almeida delivered a statement victory by finishing Serghei Spivac in the first round. This dominant showing pushes Almeida up three spots to #4, firmly establishing him as a title threat. Spivac, meanwhile, drops to #7.

The prelims also saw notable movements. Grant Dawson earned a decisive win over Diego Ferreira, earning him a share of the #13 spot in the lightweight rankings alongside Benoit Saint Denis and Rafael Fiziev. Meanwhile, Ailin Perez climbed the women’s bantamweight rankings to #6 following her gritty victory over Karol Rosa.

Other movements included Tagir Ulanbekov, whose win over Clayton Carpenter pushed him up two spots to #11 in the flyweight division, and Reinier de Ridder, who enters the middleweight rankings at #13 after submitting Kevin Holland.

UFC 311 reminded us why rankings are in constant flux, with fighters delivering memorable performances that demand attention. Keep an eye on these shifts as we head into another thrilling year of MMA action.

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While these were the most notable changes from UFC 311, the event contributed to adjustments across many divisions. For a detailed look at all updates, visit:
Fight Minds UFC Rankings

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