Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) got off to a good start against bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., but was ultimately outlasted in a unanimous decision loss.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia punches Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia in a bantamweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Coach John Wood paid tribute to Merab Dvalishvili after his man bounced back from a difficult fight camp to retain his bantamweight title at UFC 311.