Starting off the new year with a bang, the UFC is back with its first official pay-per-view event featuring two world title fights at UFC 311 from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. With non-stop action from start to finish in this upcoming card, make every punch, kick, and slam feel even harder by placing a bet on UFC 311.
Islam Makhachev Moneyline
-375
At CSB, we’re here to be your cornerman and help you secure a knockout over the oddsmakers for all the biggest UFC events of the year. Along with our expert picks and predictions, you can also find the best odds for each bout from the top online sportsbooks in Canada with our in-depth betting preview.
Don’t wait, throw on your gloves and come out swinging this Saturday night and score yourself a big win on your next UFC 311 bets.
Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
Best odds on Holland to win the fight: -107 (Pinnacle)
Best odds on Ridder to win the fight: -107 (Pinnacle)
Kicking off the main card festivities with a battle that projects to be a competitive affair, Kevin “Trailblazer” Holland will take on Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder.
While de Ridder managed to extend his success under the ONE banner into the UFC after scoring the third round submission over Gerald Meerschaert in his debut, look for his momentum to come to screeching halt as Holland scores the victory in this upcoming contest.
De Ridder is an accomplished grappler that has found plenty of success on the ground in his MMA career, but it’s unlikely he’ll be able to bring the fight to the mat against the high-octane Holland in this bout. Possessing a three-inch reach advantage, Holland will utilize his wild striking skillset to keep de Ridder on the back foot, landing big blows as he forces the Dutchman into a firefight that he simply won’t be able to handle.
Even if de Ridder is able to get Holland into a clinch or shoot for a takedown, Holland is an underrated grappler in his own right and will have no trouble holding his own in this area.
With de Ridder’s suspect chin having been exposed in the past with both of his pro MMA loses coming by way of knockout, look for Holland to continue serving as the ultimate litmus test in the UFC as he scores the knockout victory over his opponent.
Prediction: Kevin Holland by KO/TKO/DQ (+210 @ bet365)
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Best odds on Dariush to win the fight: +150 (Betway)
Best odds on Moicano to win the fight: -170 (bet365)
Next up we’ve got a great battle between two of the top contenders in the lightweight division as Beneil “Benny” Dariush takes on Renato “Money” Moicano.
Seemingly coming into his prime at 35 years old, it’s impossible to argue that Moicano hasn’t been money in his recent bouts. Riding high on a four-fight win streak including dominant showings against Jalin Turner and Benoit Saint-Dennis, Moicano is primed to extend his winning streak against the slumping Dariush.
At one point Dariush was viewed as one of the most viable contenders to take down reigning division champion, Islam Makhachev, but he’s since left fans with feelings of disappointment after suffering two first-round knockout losses at the hands of Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan.
While Dariush is still a dangerous fighter, his last few performances have severely dropped his stock, all the while Moicano has skyrocketed his. Expect to see Moicano continue to use his unrelenting pressure to control the pace of the bout, forcing Dariush into uncomfortable situations throughout the matchup as he cruises to a win on the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Renato Moicano by Decision (+210 @ BetVictor)
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
Best odds on Prochazka to win the fight: +110 (Pinnacle)
Best odds on Hill to win the fight: -120 (Betway)
In what could be a main event on almost any other card, we’ve got an absolute banger between two former light heavyweight champions as Jiri “BJP” Prochazka faces Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill.
With both combatants coming off of devastating knockout losses to current division champion Alex Pereira, a win here has never been more important for both of their careers. Officially with no room for error in this high-stakes clash, look for the samurai spirit of Prochazka to propel him to victory as he puts Sweet Dreams to sleep with a highlight-reel knockout.
Both fighters have established themselves as heavy-handed warriors, with each holding the majority of their victories by way of knockout. Additionally, both men have seen their chins cracked in recent bouts, showing that they’re susceptible to oncoming attacks.
Once all of this is factored in, the edge has to go to the more dangerous fighter, which in this case is easily Prochazka. Possessing one of the most beautifully violent fighting styles in the UFC, Prochazka excels at using spinning kicks, elbows, and other bone-jarring combinations to flatline his opponents in the blink of an eye.
Bank on Prochazka to time his moment carefully before connecting with a devastating blow to Hill, sending him straight to the canvas as he continues his path to redemption in the light heavyweight division.
Prediction: Jiri Prochazka by KO/TKO/DQ (+175 @ BetVictor)
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Best odds on Dvalishvili to win the fight: +260 (BetVictor)
Best odds on Nurmagomedov to win the fight: -295 (Pinnacle)
Making his first UFC bantamweight title defence, Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili will take on Umar Nurmagomedov with undisputed gold on the line.
While Dvalishvili looked impressive in his title victory over Sean O’Malley back at UFC 300, much of this was reliant on his wrestling ability. However, if wrestling is your strongest attribute and you’re about to face a fighter from Dagestan, you might be in trouble.
With Nurmagomedov holding equal, if not greater grappling skills than Dvalishvili, there’s going to be little to no advantages for the reigning champion to draw from in this bout. Not just a one-trick pony, Nurmagomedov has also shown he has stellar striking skills, something he put on display in his impressive victory over Cory Sandhagen back in August.
Looking to follow in his cousin Khabib’s footsteps, watch as Nurmagomedov easily takes this victory on the judges’ scorecards, maintaining his undefeated record, and further adding to the Dagestani lineage within the UFC.
Prediction: Umar Nurmagomedov by Decision (-110 @ bet365)
Umar Nurmagomedov Moneyline
-300
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Best odds on Makhachev to win the fight: -350 (Betway)
Best odds on Tsarukyan to win the fight: +300 (BetVictor)
In the main event of the evening, we’ve got a potential barnburner on our hands as Islam Makhachev looks to make his fourth lightweight title defence against Arman “Ahalkalakets” Tsarukyan. In a rematch from their competitive bout in back in 2019, look for Makhachev to leave no doubt as to who’s the better fighter in this upcoming tilt.
While Tsarukyan possesses the best skillset to take on Makahchev due to his stellar grappling base, as well as legitimate knockout power, he still isn’t on the same level as Makhachev.
A great testament to this is comparing how both fighters made out against former champion Charles Oliveira. When Makhachev fought him, he dominated the bout into a second-round finish, whereas Tsarukyan narrowly escaped with a controversial victory.
Simply the better fighter in virtually every aspect, expect to see Makhachev dictate the pace of the bout, avoiding any unnecessary risks, and outclassing Tsarukyan throughout their five-round fight before taking the win by decision.
Prediction: Islam Makhachev by Decision (+105 @ bet365)
UFC 311 Prelim Picks
Not only are there fantastic matchups throughout the main card of this weekends action, but the UFC 311 prelims are stacked with sensational clashes you won’t want to miss.
Check out our UFC 311 prelim picks below and boost your bankroll before the main card even begins ahead of this must-see event.
- Ulanbekov by DEC
- Sopaj by KO/TKO/DQ
- Nakamura by DEC
- Rosa by DEC
- Dawson by DEC
- Reese by SUB
- Spivac by KO/TKO/DQ
- Talbott by KO/TKO/DQ
- Guskov by KO/TKO/DQ
