The Merab Vs. Umar Scorecard Scandal: Why The 49-46 Decision At UFC 311 Still Sparks Debate

The bantamweight championship clash between Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 remains one of the most debated title fights in recent memory, even months after the January 2025 event. The bout, which saw Dvalishvili successfully defend his title via Unanimous Decision, was a grueling five-round war of attrition that pitted the relentless pace of Georgia's 'Machine' against the technical precision and Dagestani grappling of Nurmagomedov.

As of December 2025, the conversation around the official scorecards is more relevant than ever, especially following Dvalishvili's recent title loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323. The official tally—48-47, 48-47, and a highly controversial 49-46—led to widespread confusion and accusations of poor judging, prompting a deep dive into how the judges scored the razor-thin rounds and why the 49-46 card, in particular, became a flashpoint for the MMA community.

Fighter Profiles: Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili & Umar Nurmagomedov

Before dissecting the controversial scorecard, a look at the two elite competitors provides necessary context for their clash of styles.

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Merab Dvalishvili: The Machine

• Nickname: The Machine
• Nationality: Georgian
• Birth Date: January 10, 1991 (Age 34 as of late 2025)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height/Reach: 5' 6" / 68"
• Style: Sambo, Wrestling (Known for relentless pace, high-volume takedown attempts, and conditioning)
• Career Highlight (at the time of UFC 311): Reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion

Umar Nurmagomedov: The Eagle's Heir

• Nationality: Russian (Republic of Dagestan)
• Birth Date: March 1, 1996 (Age 29 as of late 2025)
• Stance: Southpaw
• Height/Reach: 5' 8" / 71"
• Style: Sambo, Muay Thai (Known for elite, technical striking, perfect timing, and world-class grappling defense)
• Family Connection: Cousin of former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and older brother of Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov

The UFC 311 Scorecard Breakdown: 48-47, 48-47, and the Infamous 49-46

Merab Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision, with the official scorecards reading 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. The two 48-47 cards suggest a 3-2 round split, which is a common outcome in close five-round fights. The 49-46 score, however, indicates a 4-1 round split, a disparity that immediately raised eyebrows among analysts, fighters, and fans who saw a much closer contest.

The Early Rounds: Umar's Technical Dominance

The consensus among most observers was that Umar Nurmagomedov clearly took the first two rounds. Umar utilized his significant height and reach advantage, peppering Merab with sharp, technical striking and devastating kicks, which often landed cleanly. He successfully neutralized Merab's signature takedown pressure, stuffing the majority of Dvalishvili's early attempts and forcing 'The Machine' to fight primarily on the feet, where Umar was having his greatest success. The first two rounds were a masterclass in distance management and counter-striking from the Dagestani fighter.

The Championship Rounds: Merab's Relentless Surge

The tide began to turn dramatically in the third round, and by the fourth and fifth, Merab's legendary cardio and relentless pressure took over. Dvalishvili ramped up his pace, turning his high-volume takedown attempts into successful entries, tiring Umar along the fence, and landing more significant strikes as Nurmagomedov’s output and movement slowed. The fourth and fifth rounds were a clear display of Merab's will and conditioning, culminating in a dominant fifth round that sealed the victory for the champion on two of the three scorecards.

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The Controversy: Where Did the 49-46 Come From?

The core of the controversy lies in the 49-46 scorecard, which requires one judge to have given Merab Dvalishvili four of the five rounds. Given the general agreement that Umar won rounds 1 and 2, this judge must have scored either Round 1 or Round 2 for Merab, or, more likely, scored Round 3 for Merab and given him a 10-8 in a later round, though no official 10-8 was recorded. The most likely scenario is a 1-2-3 split for Umar, and a 4-5 split for Merab, resulting in a 48-47 (3-2) score. The 49-46 judge likely scored the very close Round 3 for Merab, in addition to Rounds 4 and 5, and then scored one of the first two rounds for Merab as well, which goes against the general narrative of the fight.

This wide-ranging split highlights the persistent issue in MMA judging regarding the criteria: how to weigh damage and control (Merab's late-fight pressure) against clean, technical striking (Umar's early-fight dominance).

The Aftermath and Future of the Bantamweight Division

The Merab vs. Umar title fight had profound implications for the UFC Bantamweight division, a weight class consistently recognized for its depth and talent.

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Umar's Injury and Call for a Rematch

Following the loss—the first of his professional career—Umar Nurmagomedov revealed he had broken his left hand early in the fight, an injury that severely hampered his striking and grappling ability as the contest wore on. This revelation fueled the calls for a rematch, as many believe a fully healthy Umar would have been able to maintain his early success and better fend off Merab's relentless pressure in the championship rounds.

Merab's Title Reign and the Current Landscape

Merab Dvalishvili’s win over Umar solidified his reign as champion, but it was a short one. In a massive upset at UFC 323 in December 2025, Merab lost his title to his old foe, Petr Yan. This unexpected turn of events has completely reshuffled the title picture.

With Petr Yan now the champion, the future of the bantamweight division is wide open. Merab Dvalishvili is an immediate frontrunner for a title rematch, but Umar Nurmagomedov, despite his single loss, remains a top-tier contender with an undefeated record outside of that one controversial decision. A rematch between Merab and Umar, possibly as a title eliminator, is a fight the entire MMA world is demanding. The first fight was a technical classic that ended with a controversial scorecard; a second meeting would be a guaranteed blockbuster.

Topical Authority Entities in the Bantamweight Division

• Petr Yan (Current Champion)
• Aljamain Sterling (Former Champion)
• Sean O'Malley
• Cory Sandhagen
• Henry Cejudo
• Marlon Vera
• Rob Font
• Dominick Cruz
• T.J. Dillashaw
• Ricky Simón
• Yadong Song
• Khabib Nurmagomedov (Umar's Cousin)
• Usman Nurmagomedov (Umar's Brother)
• UFC Bantamweight Championship
• UFC 311
• UFC 323
• Dagestan Wrestling
• Georgian Sambo
• Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts