LFA Champ Azamat Bekoev Steps Up for Last-Minute UFC 311 Showdown

The highly anticipated UFC 311 card just got a thrilling twist. With Sedriques Dumas withdrawing from his preliminary bout against Zach Reese, LFA middleweight champion Azamat Bekoev has been called upon as a replacement fighter on just five days' notice. The announcement was first reported by X user Octagon Update, with MMA Junkie later confirming the details through reliable sources. Bekoev’s management team, Sucker Punch Entertainment, also shared the news on Instagram, adding to the buzz around the unexpected lineup change.

Bekoev (18-3), a 29-year-old powerhouse, steps into the UFC octagon for the first time riding an impressive six-fight winning streak. The LFA middleweight titleholder hasn’t tasted defeat since 2021, solidifying his reputation with a dominant 4-0 run in LFA, including two title defenses. His aggressive style and track record promise an exciting showdown with Reese.

On the other side, Zach Reese (8-1), 30, enters the octagon fresh off two consecutive victories against Julian Marquez and Jose Medina. Reese, eager to extend his streak, faces a formidable opponent in Bekoev. The matchup adds to the intrigue of an already stacked UFC 311 preliminary card.

While this question is a staple of job interviews, it resonates perfectly with Bekoev’s unexpected opportunity. In MMA, fighters constantly face metaphorical interview questions inside the cage: Why should you be here? Why should fans care? Bekoev’s debut at UFC 311 is his moment to answer loud and clear—with his fists and skillset.

The updated UFC 311 card still promises a night of electrifying matchups, including two title fights featuring Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title and Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov for the bantamweight title. Fans can also anticipate exciting bouts from the preliminary card, now bolstered by Bekoev’s late addition.