Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Islam Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a rapid submission of Renato Moicano at UFC 311, seeing off the late-notice challenger with a first-round D’Arce choke.
Makhachev was expecting to face Arman Tsarukyan, whom he outpointed six years ago, but the latter suffered a back injury the day before the fight. As a result, Moicano was pulled from his scheduled bout with Beneil Dariush and placed in the main event.
But the Brazilian, 35, was no match for Makhachev, 33, who took down Moicano and soon locked in a D’Arce. It was the same technique with which the Russian won his last fight, against Dustin Poirier in June.
With Saturday’s win, Makhachev cemented his status as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, as he secured a fourth successful title defence and 15th straight win.
In Makhachev’s corner was his coach and childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was also in the corner of Umar Nurmagomedov in UFC 311’s co-main event.
Umar, one of Khabib’s cousins, was challenging Merab Dvalishvili for his bantamweight title and came up short in a scintillating five-round fight.
Dvalishvili won a unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46), after using his famous pressure and cardio to overturn an apparent early lead. With that, the Georgian handed Nurmagomedov his first professional loss.
Some within MMA felt that Dvalishvili was too big of an underdog, per the betting odds, and he proved them right with his impressive comeback in Los Angeles.
Elsewhere at UFC 311, Jiri Prochazka knocked out Jamahal Hill in a clash of former light-heavyweight champions. The Czech stopped the American in round three, having also dropped Hill in round one.