UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?

Check out predictions for the revamped UFC 311 main card.
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The UFC kicked off its 2025 schedule last weekend in Las Vegas, and with UFC 311 set to go down in Los Angeles this Saturday the MMA Knockout staff are ready to go head-to-head on main card predictions.

We’ll be keeping track of this year’s stats as well as overall records dating back to UFC 309, which currently sees Zain Bando (@zainbando99) leading with 8 points, Drew Beaupré (@mmameditations) in second with 6 points, and Chris De Santiago (@Chris_DSantiago) in third with 4 points.

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Let’s take a look at predictions for the UFC 311 main card.

Holland vs. De Ridder Predictions

UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Kevin Holland (red gloves) celebrates defeating Michal Oleksiejczuk (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Drew: De Ridder’s promotional debut against Gerald Meerschaert wasn’t exactly the most inspiring performance from the former ONE double-champ, but he's facing quite a different stylistic matchup at UFC 311. Holland is always capable of pulling off an unexpected finish, but he’s also jumped between middleweight and welterweight and is facing a dangerous grappler with extensive experience competing at light heavyweight. (Pick: de Ridder)

Zain: Kevin Holland has yet to face a grappler on the level of RDR, and that's a scary thought. If Holland can avoid getting taken down, he has a shot. If not, it'll prove to UFC brass that de Ridder was a worthy signing on the fast track to a title shot. (Pick: de Ridder by Submission, R2)

Chris: (Pick: de Ridder)

Picks: 3-0 de Ridder

Almeida vs. Spivac Predictions

UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Jailton Almeida (red gloves) fights Alexandr Romanov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Drew: This matchup probably deserved a spot on the main card even before the Moicano shakeup, as both men would move closer towards heavyweight title contention with a win. Quick submissions over another pair of talented heavyweight grapplers in Alexandr Romanov and Marcin Tybura should give each of them some significant confidence heading into another fight that may largely take place on the ground, and if that does end up being the case I have to side with Almeida. (Pick: Almeida)

Zain: (Pick: Almeida by TKO, R2)

Chris: (Pick: Almeida)

Picks: 3-0 Almeida

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Procházka vs. Hill Predictions

UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jamahal Hill (blue gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Drew: Procházka is in a tough spot given that he’s already lost to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira twice, but it’s easy to forget that those are his only two losses since joining the promotion in 2020. Hill’s only setbacks are obviously his own loss to Pereira and an injury TKO against Paul Craig in 2021, but it just feels like Procházka has more ways to get the job done when the cage door closes in Los Angeles. (Pick: Procházka)

Zain: This is a terrific fight on paper. Two former light heavyweight champions with much to prove, and each has losses to the current champion, Alex Pereira. That is noteworthy, especially considering Pereira's likelihood of fighting Magomed Ankalaev next. The winner is likely next in line, and, in my opinion, Procházka seems to have more momentum. In contrast, Hill has never been finished, besides the brutalization Pereira gave him last April. Procházka finds a home for a right hand, followed by a flying knee, and gives himself a shot at earning "KO of the Year" honors and another shot to regain his title after all. (Pick: Procházka by KO/TKO, R2)

Chris: (Pick: Procházka)

Picks: 3-0 Procházka

Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Predictions

UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?
Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Sean OíMalley of the United States (red gloves) fights Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia (blue gloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Drew: I’ve talked myself into similar traps before when picking fights, but I just have such a hard time accepting that a defending champion on a lengthy win streak is currently lined as a more than 2-1 underdog. Betting value obviously doesn’t always translate to accurate fight predictions, but even if it’s an unpopular pick I’m willing to go with Dvalishvili here. (Pick: Dvalishvili)

Zain: Regardless of the opposition, it's foolish to think anyone with the Nurmagomedov last name doesn't have a chance to win. Umar Nurmagomedov is no exception. He has remained humble and focused on the task, while Dvalishvili is too focused on worrying about Georgian roots and other mindless things not relating to the fight itself. That's a bad look, and Dvalishvili has been susceptible to countershots in the past, despite not having tasted defeat in 11 fights. That'll end Saturday night. (Pick: Nurmagomedov by TKO, R4)

Chris: (Pick: Nurmagomedov)

Picks: 2-1 Nurmagomedov

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Makhachev vs. Moicano Predictions

UFC 311 Main Card Predictions: Can “Money” Moicano Shock Makhachev?
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. / Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Drew: Moicano did say that he was going to fight for the lightweight title in 2025, although he probably didn't expect that the opportunity would come about in this fashion. I'd have a hard time siding with the Brazilian even if he'd spent a whole training camp preparing for Makhachev, and on short notice I unfortunately don't expect that this fight will play out well for him. (Pick: Makhachev)

Zain: (Pick: Makhachev)

Chris: (Pick: Makhachev)

Picks: 3-0 Makhachev

MMAKO Staff Current Scores (Since UFC 309)

• Drew – 6

• Zain – 8

• Chris - 4

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Published
Drew Beaupre
DREW BEAUPRE

Drew is an MMA writer that regularly watches regional events in addition to major promotions such as the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023.

Christopher De Santiago
CHRISTOPHER DE SANTIAGO

Christopher De Santiago is a 22 year-old journalist from Gainesville, Texas with years of experience covering MMA.

Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99