At UFC 311, Islam Makhachev now faces Renato Moicano on just a few hours’ notice. Is there a path to victory for the new challenger?

UFC 311 took an unexpected major turn Friday morning, with Arman Tsarukyan withdrawing from his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev. A new UFC 311 main event is now set as Renato Moicano will step in to challenge Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) for the belt.

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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.

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.

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

On Friday, Dana White confirmed the Armenian’s devastating injury news and announced that he had been replaced by Renato Moicano, who was supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the UFC 311 undercard. It didn’t take long for Moicano to take to social media with a message for his new UFC 311.

Can Moicano defeat all odds and become champ? Check the UFC odds series for our Makhachev-Moicano prediction and pick.

UFC 311 has taken a massive hit. While preparing for his rematch and title shot against Islam Makhachev (26-1), Arman Tsarukyan (22-3)

Set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA, UFC 311 was supposed to feature a rematch between UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan in the night’s main event after the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov challenges UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.

All fighters make weight for the first PPV event of 2025 UFC 311, however Islam Makhachev will now defend his belt against Renato Moicano.