MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Friday's official UFC 311 fighter weigh-ins. The early weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in Los Angeles and preceded the ceremonial weigh-ins for the fans,

Arman Tsarukyan's nearly six-year journey to the UFC lightweight title will take a little longer. Tsarukyan suffered an injury two nights before challenging lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.

Lopes is the number three-ranked featherweight in the world, but has only made one appearance up the weights in short notice catchweight bout against Dan Ige. Meanwhile Poirier was the last man to challenge Makhachev at UFC 301 last summer, losing by submission in the fifth round.

Dana White confirms Arman Tsarukyan's withdrawal due to a back injury; Islam Makhachev now faces Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

UFC 311 suffered a last-second loss in Arman Tsarukyan, who withdrew from the main event with Islam Makhachev due to a back injury. Just hours before he was scheduled to weigh in on Friday ahead of their lightweight title fight, Tsarukyan notified the UFC matchmakers of a lingering back injury that prohibited him from competing this weekend.

Makhachev, 33, takes a 26-1 record into the fight that includes a division-record 14-match winning streak. He claimed his first championship Oct. 22, 2022, in a second-round submission of Charles Oliveira. Makhachev since twice defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski and once against Dustin Poirier.

Challenger Arman Tsarukyan is out of the lightweight title fight against champion Islam Makhachev, set for UFC 311 on Saturday, due to back pain. Dana White, the CEO of UFC, confirmed Friday that Renato Moicano will step in for Tsarukyan in the main event in Inglewood, Calif. The fight will be five rounds.

Islam Makhachev will now defend his title against Renato Moicano, following the withdrawal of original challenger Arman Tsarukyan due to a back injury.

Who wins, who loses, and who shrugs his shoulders and continues on unfazed after UFC 311's wild flurry of news?

Arman Tsarukyan's year is not starting off as he planned.

The lightweight challenger has to withdraw with a back injury, opening the door for the brash Brazilian and forcing Beneil Dariush off the card.