Islam Makhachev raced through short-notice replacement Renato Moicano to stand on the brink of history, after his proposed Arman Tsarukyan rematch was dramatically shelved late. Prior in the co-main, Merab Dvalishvili was defiant and diligent en route to a successful first championship defence against the anointed one in Umar Nurmagomedov. The Georgian didn’t read the memo.
Islam is far too good for muted Moicano
Islam Makhachev bt. Renato Moicano via R1 submission (4:01, d’Arce choke) as #1 pound-for-pound star breaks record for most consecutive lightweight title defences (4)
ISLAM Makhachev needed less than a full round to leave #10 ranked contender Renato Moicano on his back, tapping to a d’Arce choke, as the 33-year-old made the fourth successful defence of his lightweight crown.
“I’m always looking for a finish, I don’t just talk, if you give me a small chance… I’ll close the night,” he then said post-fight, addressing an 18,000-strong California crowd in his secnd United States-based headliner.
“Whoever can make 155, step in the cage and stay in-front of me,” he continued, unbothered by the short-notice stakes which gave Moicano plenty to gain and nothing to lose as a fan-friendly fighter many didn’t expect would get a championship crack, not least this soon after a four-fight win streak against contenders ranked below him.
The Brazilian’s face looked akin to that of former heavyweight interim titleholder Ciryl Gane after Jon Jones’ demolition job two years ago and while he accepted Makhachev had been “much better”, insisted he’d come back stronger.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance to get that [title shot] again but will try my best, I’m not done.”
Original opponent Arman Tsarukyan withdrew before their proposed rematch at the eleventh hour as the division’s #1 contender suffered a back injury which worsened while cutting the last few pounds before Friday’s official weigh-ins.
Moicano meant well but as soon as Islam chained his takedown entry, his fate was sealed – full camp or not – though this felt eerily similar to Islam’s one-round blowout wins over Dan Hooker and Bobby Green. At the end of that calendar year, he was holding championship gold and three years later, remains the man to beat.
Merab inflicts Umar’s first defeat
Merab Dvalishvili recovered from behind to produce a memorable maiden UFC bantamweight title defence, passing Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre for the most takedowns in promotional history with an excellent five-round unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) victory over the highly-regarded Umar Nurmagomedov.
Plenty was said in the build-up about the passing of the torch, #2 ranked contender Umar entering this contest undefeated and expected to reign over the 135lb division for a while as esteemed company – Khabib Nurmagomedov and reigning lightweight king Islam Makhachev – gave him invaluable experience, tools as well as championship-calibre confidence to base his bullish attitude around.
Ultimately though, they couldn’t fight for him.
His jab and cleverly disguised leg kicks worked well early, though Dvalishvili’s determined efforts in the championship rounds paid dividends as the defending champion reinforced why he’s nicknamed The Machine, overwhelming the Dagestani with sustained pressure across all areas after an admittedly measured start.
He spoke passionately post-fight, directly addressing UFC chief Dana White when detailing the injuries he’d been dealing with behind-the-scenes that would’ve forced many other champions to postpone their first title defence.
Merab though, takes pride in being the opposite, for better or worse and took umbrage with many believing Umar’s hype too early.
“My right shin and back… you [Dana] gave me everything so why would I [withdraw]? I am the machine but when I took this fight, it was on six weeks’ notice, I had an infected leg and hurt my lower back, I know the UFC really needed me…
He [Umar] is good but called me old, I’m working everyday, old school and believe in hard work. Don’t let them bully or underestimate you, believe in yourself and everything is possible. All the world was against me, I was the underdog, I don’t care where I’m coming from… a Georgian village, working in construction while he was born for this.”
Umar, sheepish after falling short in a career-best opportunity, hinted that he too was hampered by injury and suggested he sustained a broken hand early in their contest.
This was a competitive and entertaining way to kick off the promotion’s pay-per-view slate for 2025, particularly as the evening’s main event was watered down, though Umar now must learn and rebuild in an uber-dangerous division.
Elsewhere on the main card, Jamahal Hill’s stock increased despite a damaging third-round defeat during his frantic firefight against Jiri Prochazka.
In a battle of former light-heavyweight champions, the 32-year-old Czech’s typically crazy pressure and wild forward forays proved too much for Hill to handle, especially when hurt by blitzing attacks in centre ring.
He still didn’t do enough to warrant a third crack at reigning champion Alex Pereira, who watched cageside, so perhaps he’ll be rooting for the Russian standing opposite Poatan in No. 1 contender Magomed Ankalev (19-1-1, 1 NC) at UFC 313 on March 8.
As for the heavyweight division, Jailton Almeida enjoyed another quick night’s work to dismiss Serghei Spivac inside a round with a TKO finish (4:53, punches).
The 33-year-old, who submitted Alexander Romanov on his return from a second-round stoppage loss to Curtis Blaydes last March, knows the division has its faults and competition remains beatable but importantly, must keep winning.
As must former two-division ONE champion Reinier de Ridder, after laying waste to longtime contender Kevin Holland with a first-round submission (3:31, rear-naked choke) on his second UFC appearance after signing a multi-fight deal last autumn.
The victory will see him rise into the divisional rankings at 185-pounds, where he’s sure to freshen up a weight class that has stagnated somewhat since the duo-dominance of two former titleholders came crashing down with aplomb in 2023.
Prelim, early prelim results
Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos bt. Payton Talbott via UD3 (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Middleweight: Azamat Bekoev bt. Zachary Reese via R1 KO (3:04, punches)
Light-heavyweight: Bogdan Guskov bt. Billy Elekana via R2 submission (3:33, guillotine choke)
Lightweight: Grant Dawson bt. Carlos Diego Ferreira via UD3 (30-27 x 3)
Women’s Bantamweight: Ailin Perez bt. Karol Rosa via UD3 (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
Bantam: Muin Gafurov bt. Rinya Nakamura via UD3 (30-27 x 3)
Bantam: Bernardo Sopaj bt. Ricky Turcios via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov bt. Clayton Carpenter via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via UFC broadcast
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