UFC 311 Parlay Picks for Dagestani Special: Bet Makhachev, Nurmagomedov on Jan 18
- Include Islam Makhachev (-330) in your UFC 311 parlay picks
- Bet on Umar Nurmagomedov -310 on Jan 18
- Make bank with our UFC picks! Join with our promo code HUDDLE125
This weekend sees two of the last remaining apostles of the late, great Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Los Angeles and first pay-per-view event of 2025 in back-to-back title fights that are guaranteed to capture the world’s attention on Saturday.

The ultimate team hailing from Dagestani that is now led by the former lightweight GOAT, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in partnership with Javier Mendez’s American Kickboxing Academy, doesn’t just create some of the world’s best fighters but also gives us bettors a high probably of making bank when backing them at BetUS Sportsbook.
With Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight championship and Umar Nurmagomedov challenging for the bantamweight title at UFC 311, I’m seeing the perfect parlay opportunity as the oddsmakers aren’t dishing out the typical Dagestani UFC betting lines they usually do.
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan and Dvalishvili vs Nurmagomedov is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/f5YS8iEUMV
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 15, 2025
UFC 311 Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, January. 18, 2025 – 06:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, California
- How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass
- Scheduled Fights: 14
- Main Event Bout: Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan
- Co-Main Event Bout: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Top 2 Parlay Picks for UFC 311
1. Dagestani Pick No.1: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan
Father’s plan refers to Abdulmanap’s plan to take over the dynasty. It started with Khabib becoming champion before he eventually ceded control to Islam Makhachev. While Khabib’s retirement came sooner than expected due to Abdul’s passing, the plan is still in motion, and with the Eagle taking his father’s position as head coach, it didn’t take long before Makhachev replaced him as a domineering lightweight champion.
Come Saturday, Makhachev will be one win short of breaking lightweight division history. A fourth consecutive winning title defense would position him with the most championship wins in the division’s history, a record he currently shares with B.J. Penn, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar, and Khabib, and it’s easy to see why many critics envision this happening.
Makhachev’s opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, is a familiar foe, as the two previously fought in 2019. While Tsarukyan put up a valiant effort and has since gone 9-1 under the UFC banner, the champ has risen to No.1 in the pound-for-pound rankings, thus placing him as the greatest fighter in MMA today.
Is Tsarukyan a rightful and dangerous challenger? Sure… But there’s no denying that Makhachev’s body of work is arguably above everything else in the sport, and with the loyal, relentless, and always successful fight team led by Khabib behind him, envisioning defeat for the champ doesn’t compute!
Bet This: Islam Makhachev Moneyline [-330]
🏔️🌊 Islam Makhachev on his horse on the shores of Dagestan. pic.twitter.com/tdMk5jLTs2
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 14, 2025
Don’t Fade ‘Fathers Plan’
Surprisingly, the UFC betting odds have labeled Makhachev with a -330 betting line. This might seem like a juiced price to some, but we’re receiving much value compared to past lines when it comes to dominant Dagestani fighters. For example, Makhachev was a -500 favorite versus Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker. He was also a -900 favorite against Bobby Green and a -375 favorite in his first bout with Alexander Volkanovski.
Backing the fighters involved in fathers plan has rarely faltered from an MMA betting perspective, and I don’t expect it to at UFC 311. The pick, for me, is simple: back Makhachev to defeat Tsarukyan again, but this time, in a more dominant fashion, as he has five rounds to work with and the greater cardio to support it.
Makhachev Moneyline Supporting Betting Trends:
- Makhachev has won 14 consecutive UFC bouts
- Makhachev has won all but one of his 27 pro-MMA bouts
- Makhachev has finished 7 of his previous 8 opponents by ko/TKO or submission
Khabib Nurmagomedov:
“From our family, we’re gonna have a 2nd UFC champion, and from our team, 3rd UFC champion.”
“We’re gonna make very big history InShaaAllah.”
InShaaAllah history will be made. Father’s plan. #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/hBRkHtdmCJ
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) January 13, 2025
2. Dagestani Pick No.2: Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov
There’s no denying Khabib has put a lot of focus on assisting Makhachev in dominating the lightweight division. However, Cousin Umar has also been a top priority. With his first title opportunity coming against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, should he win, he’d become the second Nurmagomedov family member to lift UFC gold. This wouldn’t just be a credit to Umar’s dedication to the sport but also that of Uncle Abdulmanap, his cousin Khabib, and his father’s plan!
However, overcoming Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and pressure will be no easy feat. The newly crowned champ, who halted Sean O’Malley’s title reign at UFC 306, has won 11 straight UFC bouts, including names such as Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, Jose Aldo, and Cody Stamann.
Merab’s resume is one of the most impressive at 135lbs. Still, the offensive wrestling style that’s assisted him so heavily has never faced a young, well-rounded martial artist like Umar, who will unquestionably be the slickest grappler/wrestler he’s faced who’s just reaching his prime.
Go with Nurmagomedov with your UFC 311 predictions.
Bet This Pick: Umar Nurmagomedov Moneyline [-310]
🗣️ Khabib Nurmagomedov:
“Sometimes discipline is not enough, [it’s] all about sacrifice… If you want to become the best, there is no family… you have to sacrifice.
Islam, Umar, Usman, myself… we sacrificed all our life to be the best.”
🎥 @espnmmapic.twitter.com/ACuQkw35FY
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 13, 2025
It’s Simple, Umar Moneyline!
Don’t get me wrong; I respect Merab, his championship success, and the domineering victories he’s achieved. Unfortunately for him, styles make fights, and Umar is arguably the most challenging style to overcome for a wrestling-based fighter.
So, if your mindset is similar to mine, you have to believe Umar can scramble and defend the takedowns, which would then put a focus on striking. In that case, and to be brutally honest, it’s not even close. While the Dagestani are known for their Sambo wrestling style, Umar is one of the rare few who can box, kick, and take an authoritative stance in striking exchanges with the consistent worry of takedowns like those before him.
Umar has been sparring with fighters under fathers plan that are larger, stronger, and more dangerous than himself for life. Therefore, trading blows with Merab should be a cakewalk, as the Georgian fighter’s most notable flaw has always been his kickboxing game.
In addition, and dare I say it, I also believe that should Umar manage a takedown, he won’t have issues keeping Merab grounded. Yes, the champ is an offensive beast in wrestling, but we’ve seen him on his back in the past, and let’s say it isn’t pretty.
Sure, the MMA odds are slightly juiced for a fighter in Umar who’s only fought one top-10-ranked opponent to date, but again, look at the Dagestani odds history. In Umar’s last three fights alone, the bookmakers priced him at -360, -1400, and -1000, respectively. Now we’re getting -310; give me a piece of that!
Nurmagomedov Moneyline Supporting Trends:
- Umar is undefeated as a professional mixed martial artist (18-0)
- Umar has won six straight UFC fights since debuting in 2021
- 3 of Merab’s previous 4 wins were against opponents aged 31, 37, and 38.
- Merab lost his most recent grappling match at Fury Pro Grappling in 2021
“Nuestra familia va a ser como los Gracie, todo el mundo va a saber quiénes somos y lo que hicimos en el MMA” Umar Nurmagomedov #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/nBcJMYMr9O
— Gaston “Tonga” Reyno (@gastonreyno) January 15, 2025
UFC 311 2-Leg Parlay
- Makhachev Moneyline [-330]
- Nurmagomedov Moneyline [-310]
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Questions Of The Day
Who’s fighting in the main card at UFC 311?
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Light Heavyweight: Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill
Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Middleweight: Kevin Holland vs Reinier de Ridder