Weigh-in day at UFC 311 produced a major twist, with Armenian contender Arman Tsarukyan sensationally ruled out of his lightweight title fight with champion Islam Makhachev on Saturday night.
Stepping in to replace him is Brazil’s in-form contender Renato Moicano, who was due to face Beneil Dariush on the same card in California, but now gets the chance to challenge for championship gold on just one day’s notice.
UFC boss White broke the news on the official UFC 311 Weigh-In Show, as he explained the timeline of events that led to the last-minute change to the main event.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 12: Renato Moicano of Brazil during the UFC 300 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 12: Renato Moicano of Brazil during the UFC 300 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
“Around 1 am last night, we had a call from Arman Tsarukyan, and he let us know he was experiencing severe back pain and felt that he was not healthy enough to compete. So, he’s out of the fight,” White explained.
“So, stepping in to face Islam Makhachev for the title, Renato Moicano. He’s been on a tear since moving up to 155 pounds, and he has the longest active win streak amongst of all the fighters in the top 10 of the lightweight division.
“Six of his last seven, including his last four in a row, with three of them coming by finish. He’s a savage. He wants to step up and right. Every fight he’s in is a war, and when we called Islam Makhachev, he said, ‘Brother, I am the champion. I fight anybody. I don’t care.’
“So the new fight – the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world Islam Makhachev versus Renato Moicano for the lightweight title tomorrow night, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.”
White revealed that Moicano was aware of the possibility that there could be an opening in the main event, and made sure he hit championship weight to ensure that he was eligible to step in and challenge for the title.
“Last night, he was aware, and obviously he didn’t weigh in at ’56. He had to weigh in at 155 to make championship weight.”
The new bout offers plenty of intrigue, with Moicano bringing a very different style to the cage than Tsarukyan, while Makhachev offers the Brazilian a very different sort of test to his original opponent, Dariush.
The dramatic change has added to the excitement level ahead of fight night in Inglewood, California, as Moicano bids to upset Makhachev on one day’s notice.
“It’s fascinating. For both guys, they were preparing to fight guys with different styles,” said White.
“I dunno. Anything could happen when guys step up and take these opportunities. You know I love this stuff. When a guy gets an opportunity, and he takes it.
“And Islam, again. Such a gangster. I am the champ. I don’t care. I’m going to bed. Whoever I wake up and I’m fighting tomorrow, I’m good with.”
More to follow…
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