UFC 311: Islam Makachev to Defend Title Against Moicano After Injured Arman Tsarukyan Pulls Out of Main Event

UFC 311 fight card was forced for a late change after injury forced Arman Tsarukyan to pull out of his main event title rematch against UFC Lightweight world champion Islam Makachev.

The UFC Lightweight World Championship will still be on the line as Makachev is set to face Renato Moicano in the headliner on Saturday (January 18) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Arman Tsarukyan withdraws from title fight against Islam Makachev at UFC 311 due to injury Image UFC Media — Arman Tsarukyan withdraws from title fight against Islam Makachev at UFC 311 due to injury (Image: UFC Media)

After Red Corner MMA reported about Tsarukyan's injury during the official weigh-ins on Friday (January 17) morning, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the news via his social media accounts in which he also named Moicano, who had already weighed in for a lightweight bout on the undercard, will be the late replacement.

In a video posted on X, White broke the news saying, "This morning around 1 AM, I received a call from Arman Tsarukyan, who informed us, that he was experiencing significant back pain. Due to the injury, he feels like he is not healthy enough to compete. So, he is out of the fight. Stepping in to face Islam Makachev for the title will be Renato Moicano."

Moicano was slated to face Beneil Dariush on the under card with the duo weighing in at the limit for a lightweight clash. But that fight is now cancelled as No. 10 ranked Moicano, who is riding on four-fight win streak, edged No. 9 ranked Dariush for the title fight.

This is not the first time a Makhachev title defence has seen a late change. Earlier in 2023, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up to rematch the champ when Charles Oliveira's cut forced him out of his own chance for a rematch at UFC 294.

There is no information on how Tsarukyan suffered the injury as the 'Akhalkalakets' took part in UFC 311 media day and also the UFC 311 press conference earlier this week, showing no real signs of a back issue. This late alteration has led to a few changes to the card.

With Dariush being out of the card without an opponent, the heavyweight bout between Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac was promoted to the main card from the preliminary card, while a middleweight clash between Zachary Reese and Azamat Bekoev moved to the prelims from the early preliminary card.

UFC 311 Fight Card

Main Card

Lightweight World Championship Bout: Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Renato Moicano
Bantamweight World Championship Bout: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
Heavyweight Bout: Jailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac
Middleweight Bout: Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder