Ahead of UFC 310, Dana White has made some major announcements that have sent shockwaves through the MMA community. With just a few weeks left until the highly anticipated event, the UFC President has revealed two massive matchups for UFC 311. While one fight was expected, the other has left fans and fighters alike surprised and intrigued. So, who will be facing off against Merab Dvalishvili in his first title defense? Let’s dive into the latest episode of MMA Roundup to find out.
The first matchup announced by Dana White is a highly anticipated rematch between featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former titleholder Max Holloway. The two first met at UFC 245 in December 2019, with Volkanovski emerging as the new champion after a closely contested fight. Since then, both fighters have been on a tear, with Volkanovski successfully defending his title twice and Holloway picking up two impressive wins. This rematch has been a long time coming and fans can’t wait to see these two elite fighters go head to head once again.
But it’s the second matchup that has everyone talking. Dana White has thrown a curveball by announcing that Merab Dvalishvili’s opponent for UFC 311 will not be the highly ranked and deserving contender, Marlon Moraes. Instead, it will be a mystery opponent, leaving fans and analysts speculating on who it could be. This decision has come as a surprise to many, including Dvalishvili himself, who had his sights set on defending his title against Moraes.
So, who could this mystery opponent be? Some have speculated that it could be a big-name fighter making their return to the octagon, while others believe it could be a rising star looking to make a name for themselves. One thing is for sure, this unexpected matchup has added a whole new level of excitement to UFC 311.
In other news, former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has received a reality check ahead of his highly anticipated heavyweight debut. Jones, who has been dominant in the 205-pound division, is set to face off against rising star Tom Aspinall at UFC 311. However, in a recent interview, Jones admitted that he underestimated the challenges of moving up to heavyweight and has been humbled by his training camp. This is a refreshing change from Jones, who has often been known for his brash and confident attitude. It seems that he is taking this new challenge seriously and is not underestimating his opponent.
Speaking of rising stars, undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov has taken shots at highly touted prospect Ian Garry ahead of their matchup at UFC 310. Rakhmonov, who is coming off an impressive submission win in his UFC debut, has called out Garry for being overhyped and unproven. Garry, on the other hand, has responded by saying that he is not afraid of Rakhmonov and is ready to prove himself on the big stage. This matchup has all the makings of a potential fight of the night and fans can’t wait to see these two talented fighters go toe to toe.
In other news, UFC 310 has also seen some major changes to its lineup. The highly anticipated lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been postponed due to an injury sustained by dos Anjos. This has left Makhachev without an opponent and has caused some disappointment among fans. However, the UFC has announced that they are actively searching for a replacement and are confident that they will find a suitable opponent for Makhachev.
Additionally, the heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik has also been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. This is a major blow for both fighters, who were looking to make a statement in the heavyweight division. However, the UFC has assured fans that the fight will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
In conclusion, the MMA world is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as we approach UFC 310 and 311. With two massive matchups announced, a surprise opponent for Merab Dvalishvili, and some major changes to the lineup, these events are shaping up to be must-watch for any MMA fan. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates and news on the world of MMA.
