2025 is here, and the UFC’s first PPV of the calendar year takes place on January 18 in Los Angeles, California, at the Intuit Dome. No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and Undisputed Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev headlines the event against former foe No. 1 Arman Tsarukyan. Another member of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s family tree gets a title opportunity. This time, No. 2 Umar Nurmagomedov is fighting Undisputed Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.

This card is stacked from top to bottom, featuring two former champions in the third bout from the top. No. 2 Jiri Prochazka faces No. 3 Jamahal Hill in a highly anticipated light heavyweight contest.

The Early Prelims start at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the Prelims beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Main Card starts at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $500K UFC 311 Special [$100K to 1st]

Studs

Islam Makhachev ($9,400)

Makhachev has quickly ascended to the top of the sport. He has defended his lightweight championship three times and has four total title wins. Makhachev is $9,400, which is fourth on this slate. This is surprising because Makhachev averages 97.6 fantasy points per fight while totaling 100-plus points in four of his last five contests.

Makhachev has improved his striking lately, but most of this fight will likely occur on the ground. Yes, Arman Tsarukyan lands 0.6 takedowns more than Makhachev, but that doesn’t tell the entire story. Makhachev has a 53 percent takedown accuracy while defending opposing takedowns at a 90 percent rate.

He has finished seven of his last eight opponents and recorded at least 100 fantasy points seven times during that period. Makhachev continues to improve and dominate competitors. He is the most consistent fighter on this card, and until he shows legit signs of weakness, he is an excellent addition to your lineup. Makhachev is a big favorite in this contest at -325, while Tsarukyan is +260.

Renato Moicano ($8,700)

“Money Moicano” is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division. He has won four fights in a row, with three finishes and two straight knockouts. He went 3-0 in 2024, and it was his most successful year to date, without a doubt. In September in Paris, he knocked out No. 12 Benoit Saint-Denis in the second round.

Moicano is No. 10 in the rankings at 155 pounds, but if he wants to crack inside the top 10, he must beat No. 9 Beneil Dariush. He has been very productive from a daily fantasy perspective. Moicano has scored at least 108 points in his previous two contests. Even though Dariush lost his last two fights, he is still a highly skilled fighter. He won eight in a row before losing to Charles Oliveira in June 2023. This is Dariush’s first fight in the last 13 months.

Both fighters are 35 years old and have a 72″ reach. But Moicano is the taller fighter by one inch (5’11” vs. 5’10”). Moicano does have 10 submissions in his MMA career, but he has been more inclined to strike lately. He lands more significant strikes (4.42 vs. 3.78) and is a more efficient striker (49% vs. 48%) than Dariush. Moicano is the favorite in this bout at -162 on DraftKings Sportsbook. His path to an elite fantasy performance is clear if he can successfully defend Dariush’s takedowns.

Value Play

Merab Dvalishvili ($7,000)

Stylistically, this is Dvalishvili’s toughest test to date. Not only is he facing No. 2 Umar Nurmagomedov, who is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s latest disciple to fight for a title. On paper, this fight is extremely close in every area. Nurmagomedov has the height (5’8″ vs. 5’6″) and reach (69″ vs. 68″) advantages.

It may seem unlikely, but Nurmagomedov is the better striker. He averages 0.9 more significant strikes per minute than Dvalishvili and lands at an incredible 63 percent rate. Also, Nurmagomedov has better defense on the feet, defending strikes at 63 percent, seven percent better than the champion.

But Dvalishvili averages over six takedowns per 15 minutes, over two more than Nurmagomedov. Although Dvalishvili only has a 26 percent takedown accuracy, he always is relentlessly attempting to get his opponent to the canvas. Dvalishvili has attempted 10-plus takedowns in three of his previous four fights. Dvalishvili is on an 11-fight win streak and hasn’t lost since 2018. Getting him at only $7,000 is a steal since he has been a daily fantasy machine. He has totaled at least 108 points in four of his past five bouts.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $500K UFC 311 Special [$100K to 1st]