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
-1000
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)
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. Renato Moicano
Best odds on Makhachev to win the fight: -1000 (Betway)
Best odds on Moicano to win the fight: +732 (Pinnacle)
On Friday afternoon a shocking late change was made to the main event of UFC 311 after original lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan was announced to have suffered a back injury and wouldn’t be able to compete for the title.
In his place, Renato “Money” Moicano has been thrust into the main event with a chance to pull off a monumental upset against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. Due to this, Moicano’s original matchup against Beneil Dariush has been canceled, with the potential for him to find a new opponent still up in the air.
With this new bout scheduled to headline UFC 311, things may get ugly quickly in this newly formed clash. While Moicano has indeed been money as of late, having won four-straight bouts with two coming by way of knockout, he still doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of besting Makhachev.
Relying heavily on his ground game in order to gain an edge over his opponent, Moicano’s biggest strength pails in comparison to that of Makhachevs grappling skillset. With Makhachev easily able to dominate position on the ground using his superb strength and tenacity, Moicano’s most dangerous weapons will be rendered useless.
Additionally, on the feet this fight will be a one-sided beatdown as Makhachev has developed himself into a phenomenal striker, while Moicano has had difficulties in the standup game evident by his near-loss to Jalin Turner back at UFC 300.
With no pathway to victory in sight for Moicano, hammer the defending champion Makhachev to continue his dominant reign, finishing Moicano by vicious ground-and-pound en route to his fourth lightweight title defence.
Prediction: Islam Makhachev by KO/TKO/DQ
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
