Major change to UFC 311 as Arman Tsarukyan injury scuppers Islam Makhachev main event
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Renato Moicano steps in on one day’s notice, challenging Makhachev for the lightweight title. An injured Arman Tsarukyan has been replaced in the main event of UFC 311, with Renato Moicano now challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title – on one day’s notice.
![[Islam Makhachev celebrates submitting Dustin Poirier to remain champion]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/02/06/newFile-3.jpg)
Tsarukyan was due to face Makhachev on Saturday (18 January), six years after losing to the Russian via decision in a competitive fight. But a back injury prevented Tsarukyan from weighing in on Friday, and Moicano was drafted in for the Armenian-Russian, having already been scheduled for UFC 311.
![[UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan suffered a back injury]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/12/04/09/newFile-2.jpg)
Moicano, 35, was due to fight Beneil Dariush earlier on the main card, but the Brazilian has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime on one day’s notice. While Dariush has been removed from UFC 311, “Money Moicano” will challenge Makhachev for the lightweight belt, which the 33-year-old has retained three times since becoming champion in 2022.
![[Renato Moicano is on a four-fight win streak as he challenges Makhachev on short notice]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/04/14/06/GettyImages-2148550528.jpg)
The Russian – a childhood friend of UFC lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who now coaches Makhachev – submitted Charles Oliveira to win the gold, before outpointing and knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in two bouts in 2023, and submitting Dustin Poirier last June.
Oliveira is a former lightweight champion, Poirier previously held the interim 155lb title, and Volkanovski was featherweight champion during his saga with Makhachev. Makhachev’s run as champion – and his ongoing 14-fight win streak, including his victory over Tsarukyan – have established him as the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter.
