Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for champs Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 311?

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Renato Moicano, Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 311 title losses?)

After a 2024 that featured many UFC title challenges, the first champions to put their belt up for grabs this year were successful in defending them at UFC 311.

In the main event, lightweight Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) submitted Renato Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) in the first round at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., while in the co-headliner, Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) turned back the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) by unanimous decision to defend his bantamweight strap.

What’s next for both titleholders, who are looking head and shoulders above the competition in their weight classes?

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on what’s next for Makhachev and Dvalishvili after their UFC 311 title defenses.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for champs Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 311?