The Ultimate Fighting Championship is back on pay-per-view this Saturday and that is why it is a perfect time for some bold UFC 311 predictions. This weekend’s card is headlined by a major matchup at 155 pounds. When lightweight king Islam Makhachev defends his belt in a rematch against No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Will the pound-for-pound superstar retain his title, or is an upset set to go down inside Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome? Our UFC 311 predictions reveal our pick for that bout and several other major fights on Saturday.
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Jailton Almeida (-470) vs. Serghei Spivac (+360)

Before his stunning second-round knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes last year, Jailton Almeida was on track to compete for UFC gold in 2025. However, the Brazilian must build up some new contender momentum and he started that in June with another submission win, this time against Alexandr Romanov.
He gets a stiff test at UFC 311 when he takes on rankings stalwart Serghei Spivac. If he gets sloppy like he did against Blaydes he could easily be upset. However, he is such a gifted athlete and grappler it would be a big surprise to see him fall on the UFC 311 prelims.
- Prediction: Jailton Almeida by submission (Round 2)
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Kevin Holland (-102) vs. Reinier de Ridder (-118)

Former two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder could run circles around Kevin Holland due to his massive grappling advantages. However, on the feet “Trail Blazer” has a serious edge. This fight can go either way and that is why the betting odds are so close.
De Ridder has faced some good strikers in his career, but few with the speed and cockiness Holland will bring on Saturday. Don’t expect this one to get past the opening round because the American will find his foe’s chin before the round comes to a close.
- Prediction: Kevin Holland by KO (Round 1)
Check Out: How to Watch UFC 312 Without Cable
Beneil Dariush (+145) vs. Renato Moicano (-175)

Renato “Moicano” vs. Beneil Dariush is a fascinating matchup. The former has a much better resume. But timing can be everything, and Dariush has lost two straight and hasn’t fought in over a year. The Brazilian is at a career peak after winning four straight.
While both are the same age, it just feels like they are at very different points in their career. Dariush is nearing an end to fighting while “Moicano” is on a path to even bigger fights in 2025.
- Prediction: Renato Moicano by unanimous decision
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Jiřà Procházka (+102) vs. Jamahal Hill (-122)

A bout between former champions Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka is a scrap fight fans have wanted for some time. They will get it on Saturday and expect it to be in the conversation for Fight of the Night.
While both are talented strikers, they do it in very different ways. “BJPs” unpredictable style will test Hill’s patience and defense. However, the former Rizin star is a risk taker that will leave openings for the American. Look for Hill to wait for those opportunities and capitalize on them en route to a late finish.
- Prediction: Hill by TKO (Round 3)
Merab Dvalishvili (+250) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (-310)

Merab Dvalishvili’s rise to the top of the UFC has been one of the best MMA stories of the last five years. His 11-fight win streak is outstanding and contains former champions and future Hall-of-Famers. His path to becoming the bantamweight king was made possible by his unstoppable will and strong wrestling.
For the last few years, he has been a bad matchup for a lot of opponents. However, on Saturday, his opponent is a bad matchup for him. Umar Nurmagomedov is a big favorite for a title challenger. His ability to be a problem in grappling and on the feet doesn’t offer Dvalishvili a lot of routes to victory. That is why he will be one-and-done as a defending champion at UFC 311.
- Prediction: Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision
Related: Latest UFC bantamweight rankings
Islam Makhachev (-410) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (+320)

It’s not all the time that you get a matchup of elite talents in their prime. But that is what fight fans will get in the UFC 311 main event. Islam Makhachev is the best fighter in the world right now. However, Arman Tsarukyan has completely earned his title opportunity with a 9-2 run in the Octagon, including wins over Dariush and Charles Oliveira.
What also makes him an interesting threat to Makhachev is the two have fought before and the champ eked out a hard-fought win in 2019. Both are much better, but the fight will still be closely contested again. However, we will not hear “and new” on Saturday night.
- Prediction: Islam Makhachev by submission (Round 5)
Related: Latest UFC lightweight rankings