In a dramatic turn of events just days before UFC 311, the fight card has undergone a significant change. LFA middleweight champion Azamat Bekoev has been called up to make his UFC debut on just five days’ notice, replacing Sedriques Dumas in a preliminary bout against Zach Reese.
LFA champ Azamat Bekoev (18-3) will step in to face Zachary Reese (8-1) at #UFC311 on Saturday in Inglewood, multiple sources confirm. He replaces Sedriques Dumas. First reported by @zaclikesmma. pic.twitter.com/L3BnuegA8N
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 13, 2025
Last-Minute Replacement Brings New Excitement
The sudden withdrawal of Sedriques Dumas from his scheduled fight against Zach Reese left UFC matchmakers scrambling for a replacement. Enter Azamat Bekoev, the reigning LFA middleweight champion, who has seized the opportunity to step into the Octagon for the first time.
Bekoev, a 29-year-old prospect with an impressive 18-3 record, brings a six-fight winning streak into his UFC debut. The Russian fighter has been dominating the LFA circuit, going 4-0 in the promotion and successfully defending his 185-pound title twice. His last defeat came in 2021, making him one of the hottest prospects in the middleweight division outside the UFC.
UFC signs LFA Middleweight champ Azamat Bekoev (18-3) https://t.co/8WIk1QQAQM pic.twitter.com/WNNwUN1YDs
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 13, 2025
Bekoev’s LFA championship pedigree and winning momentum could make him a dangerous opponent for Reese, who has been finding his footing in the UFC after a rocky start.
UFC 311: A Stacked Card Remains Intact
Despite the unexpected change in the preliminary lineup, UFC 311 remains a stacked event from top to bottom. The main card, headlined by two title fights, promises to deliver high-stakes action for fight fans.
In the main event, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev puts his title on the line against the surging Arman Tsarukyan in what many predict could be one of the most technical battles of the year. The co-main event sees newly crowned bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili making his first title defense against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, in a clash that could reshape the 135-pound division.
The main card also features a potential light heavyweight title eliminator between former champions Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka. Both men are looking to reclaim glory in a division that has seen significant turnover at the top in recent years. Rounding out the pay-per-view portion of the event, Beneil Dariush faces Renato Moicano in a lightweight contest, while Kevin Holland welcomes former ONE Championship two-division titleholder Reinier de Ridder to the UFC in a middleweight bout.
The preliminary card, now featuring Bekoev vs. Reese, is packed with compelling matchups. Jailton Almeida takes on Serghei Spivac in a heavyweight clash, while the always-exciting Grant Dawson faces Diego Ferreira in what promises to be a lightweight barnburner.
Check out the full UFC 311 Fight Card:
UFC 311 Main Card (10:00 PM ET on ESPN+ PPV)
- Islam Makhachev (Champion) vs. (1) Arman Tsarukyan – Lightweight Title Bout
- Merab Dvalishvili (Champion) vs. (2) Umar Nurmagomedov – Bantamweight Title Bout
- (9) Beneil Dariush vs. (10) Renato Moicano
- (2) Jiří Procházka vs. (3) Jamahal Hill
- Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
UFC 311 Preliminary Card (8:00 PM ET on ESPNEWS & ESPN+)
- (13) Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana
- Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- (6) Jailton Almeida vs. (7) Serghei Spivac
- Zach Reese vs. Azamat Bekoev
UFC 311 Early Preliminary Card (6:00 PM EST on UFC Fight Pass)
- Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
- Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
- Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
- Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj
- (11) Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter
