Islam Makhachev did not tremble in the defense of his -70kg belt during the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday evening in Las Vegas. The champion won by submission in the first round against the Brazilian Renato Moicano. The other fight for a belt turned to the advantage of Merab Dvalishvili who retained his -61kg crown by inflicting his first defeat on Russian Umar Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev’s demonstration. The Russian retained his -70kg belt against Brazilian Renato Moicano on Saturday at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. Makhachev submitted his opponent in the first round. Makhachev was due to face Armenian Arman Tsarukyan, his official challenger, but he had to withdraw on Friday with a back injury. The Brazilian Renato Moicano (20 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw), challenger N.10 in the category and scheduled for another fight on the UFC 311 card, therefore took the place of challenger at the last minute. Not a gift as Makhachev currently dominates the UFC, he who suffered only one defeat at the start of his career for now 27 successes, and who is ranked N.1 in the UFC in all categories combined. The 33-year-old Russian was off balance at the start of the fight, but quickly took his opponent to the ground, his specialty, before submitting him.
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-Dvalishvili: “I am a machine”
Previously, Merab Dvalishvili retained his -61kg belt against Russian Umar Nurmagomedov, who conceded his first defeat in the UFC. The Georgian won by decision after a magnificent fight against the Russian who said he broke his hand in the first round. “Merab was imperial, judge Taylor Lapilus on RMC Sport. There was very little scramble on his part. He defended Umar’s takedown attempts very early. He is tireless. He maintained the same pace from start to finish. the end.”
A fact confirmed by the hero of the evening: “You know me, I am a machine, declared Dvalishivili in the cage. Six weeks ago, I was injured in my leg. But I knew that the UFC needed me . Today I was good but I needed good preparation and that wasn’t the case because of my leg.” That didn’t stop him from beating Umar Nurmagomedov and writing a new great page in his UFC career.
