The UFC 311 pay-per-view (PPV) main event between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, scheduled for this Sat. night (Jan. 18, 2025) at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Calif., has been canceled after “Ahalkalakets” suffered a back injury and was forced to withdraw.
“Around 1am we received a call from Arman Tsarukyan who informed us that he was experiencing significant back pain,” UFC CEO, Dana White, said on social media. “Due to the injury, he feels he is not healthy enough to compete, so he is out of the fight. Stepping in to face Islam Makhachev for the title will be Renato Moicano.”
Red Corner MMA first reported the injury on Twitter.
“Moicano’s been on a tear since moving up to 155 pounds and currently holds the longest active win streak amongst all fighters in the Top 10 of the lightweight division,” White continued. “He’s won six of his last seven fights including his last four in a row with three of those coming by finish. The guy is an absolute savage and every fight he’s in, is a war. He weighed in at championship weight to be prepared as the backup in case something happened.”
So too, did Beneil Dariush, Moicano’s original opponent (get full UFC 311 weigh ins results and video here). Dariush is expected to return to the sidelines but will no doubt be generously compensated for losing his opportunity to compete this weekend in “The Golden State.”
“When we spoke to him this morning I can tell you, he wants this fight!” White said. “And when I called Islam? Islam said, ‘Brother, I am the champion. I don’t care who it is, I will fight anyone. Ladies and gentleman, the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world, Islam Makhachev, versus Renato Moicano for the lightweight title, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. I will see you there!”
California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is expected to rubber stamp the switcheroo within the hour.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early Disney+/FX/ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining four-fight undercard balance on Disney+/ESPNN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 311 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 311 fight card and PPV lineup click here.