Arman Tsarukyan is out. Renato Moicano is in. Islam Makhachev is still headlining UFC 311. And everyone has something to say about it.
During Friday’s official UFC 311 weigh-ins, the promotion announced that an injury has forced Tsarukyan to withdraw from his bout with lightweight champion Makhachev, which was to headline Saturday’s event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Stepping in to replace Tsarukyan is Renato Moicano, who was originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on the main card.
Both Moicano and Dariush successfully made championship weight, making them eligible to be a backup for the main event. Moicano, currently on a four-fight win streak, got the call and now has the opportunity to upset not just the UFC’s No. 1 lightweight, but the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Several fighters publicly stepped up to accept the opportunity, including Dustin Poirier and Diego Lopes, while others simply reacted in amazement at the shakeup to the first UFC pay-per-view of 2025.
See more fighter reactions from social media below.
“What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world and if you’re the best in the world, it doesn’t matter who’s going to be standing across from you. What do I say? No? NEVER. Let’s do this!” pic.twitter.com/Nyj05z1mGs
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) January 17, 2025
Wow….on a plane to LA and just saw the news. What a sport we are in… #ufc311
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 17, 2025
Holy crap! What a shake up at the last hour. Thankfully the UFC was prepared for and changes and we still get a good fight. But that Arman fight is what we have to see next. https://t.co/schJ6JRLBD
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 17, 2025
Does Beneil need a catch weight fight?
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) January 17, 2025
Khabib and Al iaquinta..now Islam with moicano .. crazy how their stories align
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 17, 2025
