
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan won’t get to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title due to an injury suffered with just one day left before the fight.
Renato Moicano steps in to face the champion at UFC 311.
A back injury has taken the challenger out of the fight just hours before weigh-ins, and a day before the event as reported by Manouk Akopyan.
First reported by Red Corner MMA.
Moicano (20-5-1), who has been pushing his “Money Moicano” mentality, likely gets his biggest bag to take the title fight on very short notice. He turns his 4-fight win streak into an unexpected title shot against Makhachev. Wins over Brad Riddell, Drew Dober, Jalin Turner and Benoit St.Denis, along with his new persona, have turned him into a fan favorite.
Unfortunately for Tsarukyan the injury extends his wait for a shot at the lightweight title. He last fought in April 2024 where he earned a split-decision victory over Charles Oliveira to earn him the shot. His 4-fight win streak holds wins over Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Joaquim Silva and Damir Ismagulov.
No word as to what the plans are for Beneil Dariush as he finds himself without an opponent.
UFC 311 goes ahead as follows:
- Islam Makhachev (C) vs. Renato Moicano
- Merab Dvalishvili (C) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
- Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
- Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
- Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
- Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
- Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana
- Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
- Zach Reese vs. Azamat Bekoev
- Karol Rosa vs. Ailin Perez
- Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
- Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter