We asked AI to predict the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano at UFC 311 (And it gave a definitive reply)

The new UFC 311 headliner, Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano, has set the MMA community abuzz with speculation about how the short-notice high-level title showdown could play out. We asked Google's AI Gemini for its prediction of Makhachev vs. Moicano, and it gave a definitive reply.

The prediction entailed that Makhachev was a massive favorite to emerge victorious against Moicano. It seemingly alluded to several bookmakers having the Dagestani combatant as a big favorite to win, with some odds being as wide as Makhachev as a -1200 favorite and Moicano as a +750 underdog.

Additionally, the AI broke down the matchup, citing three main reasons why Makhachev is heavily favored to bag the win: Namely, the champion's dominant wrestling, his superior striking, and the challenges Moicano is up against.

Firstly, it hailed Makhachev as a top-tier wrestler with tremendous takedown prowess and overall grappling abilities. It was deemed that the 155-pound kingpin would probably control the matchup's pace on the mat.

Secondly, it was highlighted that although Makhachev's wrestling is the primary tool in his arsenal, he's displayed considerable evolution in the striking department and transformed into a more well-rounded combatant.

Thirdly, it indicated that Moicano is a robust combatant. Nevertheless, he's supposedly up against a mammoth step-up in terms of competition in the form of Makhachev. The champion's wrestling and overall grappling skills could possibly overwhelm him and be tough to solve.

Ultimately, the prediction asserted that Makhachev would likely get his hand raised by way of either submission or via decision. However, a disclaimer followed, wherein the AI alluded to MMA's unpredictability and implied that anything can happen in a given fight.

Screenshot of Google's AI prediction for the Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano UFC 311 fight

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UFC 311: How did the Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano fight come about?

Initially, Renato Moicano was booked to face Beneil Dariush in a non-title lightweight bout at UFC 311. Meanwhile, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was scheduled to defend his belt against Arman Tsarukyan in the card's headlining match. Makhachev previously beat Tsarukyan via unanimous decision in a non-title bout in April 2019.

However, one day before UFC 311, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that he'd gotten a call from Tsarukyan at 1 am in the morning. White indicated that Tsarukyan was dealing with back pain. He explained that the Georgia-born Armenian fighter believed the injury wouldn't let him compete at the event. As such, Tsarukyan was ruled out.

White confirmed that Moicano weighed in on the championship weight cutoff, 155 pounds, for a lightweight title bout. Non-title lightweight bouts, like the matchup between Moicano and Dariush, have an upper weight limit of 156 pounds.

Subsequently, Brazil's Moicano was roped in to fight Makhachev for the title. White notably hailed the Dagestan, Russia-based Makhachev for agreeing to defend his belt against the new opponent on short notice. Presently, the 33-year-old Makhachev (26-1 MMA) is set to defend his lightweight belt against the 35-year-old Moicano (20-5, 1 draw MMA) -- headlining the much-awaited UFC 311 card.