Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Full Fight
Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC Bantamweight championship against the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, winning by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) in a fight that was awarded ‘Fight of the Night’ . The fight was a back-and-forth battle where Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and wrestling ultimately overcame a strong start from Nurmagomedov .
Here is a round-by-round description of how the fight unfolded.
Round-by-Round Fight Description
Round 1: The fight began cautiously with over 40 seconds of feinting before the first strike was thrown . Nurmagomedov found early success with his striking, landing a big left hand and a stinging right hand just before the bell that appeared to hurt Dvalishvili . The round was competitive, but Nurmagomedov’s cleaner, harder shots earned him the round on most scorecards .
Round 2: Nurmagomedov continued his effective striking, bloodying Dvalishvili’s nose with a sharp jab . In a key grappling exchange, Dvalishvili shot for a takedown, but Nurmagomedov sprawled beautifully, reversed the position, and took Dvalishvili’s back . Dvalishvili calmly worked his way back to his feet without taking significant damage, but Nurmagomedov still controlled the round .
Round 3: This round marked the fight’s turning point . Dvalishvili began to impose his relentless pace, successfully taking Nurmagomedov down for the first time in the fight . He started gaining confidence in his striking and, with a smile on his face, began to frustrate Nurmagomedov . Despite a late takedown from Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili’s activity and control earned him the round .
Round 4: Dvalishvili fully took over the fight . He continued to pressure forward, landing takedowns and mixing in punches . His incredible pace visibly began to wear on Nurmagomedov, who was finding it difficult to mount offense . Dvalishvili ended the round with a huge takedown, firmly cementing his momentum .
Round 5: The final round saw both fighters understanding the close nature of the fight . Dvalishvili continued to spam takedown attempts, while Nurmagomedov focused on stuffing them and landing single strikes . In the closing moments, Dvalishvili landed a “Huge 1-2” and a late takedown, which many observers felt sealed his victory .
What Decided the Fight
Relentless Pressure and Pace: Dvalishvili lived up to his “Machine” nickname. His constant forward movement and high work rate, particularly in the championship rounds (3, 4, and 5), drained Nurmagomedov’s energy and allowed him to control the fight .
Historic Wrestling Output: Dvalishvili broke the UFC record for most takedowns, utilizing his grappling to score points, create scrambles, and fatigue Nurmagomedov . While he couldn’t keep Nurmagomedov down for long, the repeated attempts were crucial .
Overcoming Adversity: Dvalishvili was a significant underdog heading into the fight and had to weather early damage and a broken nose . His ability to stay composed, trust his conditioning, and turn the fight around showcased his championship mettle .
Nurmagomedov’s Injury: After the fight, Nurmagomedov revealed he believed he broke his left hand in the first round, which he felt impacted his ability to punch in the subsequent rounds .