No. 1-ranked lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, was expected to challenge reigning division kingpin, Islam Makhachev, for the 155-pound title at UFC 311 this Sat. night (Jan. 18, 2025) on pay-per-view (PPV). Instead, he’ll watch late-replacement, Renato Moicano, chase that dream from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
For much more on today’s dramatic turn of events click here.
“I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true,” Tsarukyan wrote on Instagram. “This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”
Moicano’s original opponent, Beneil Dariush, will be rebooked for an upcoming event.
“Family and friends, unfortunately I’m not fighting tomorrow,” Dariush wrote on Instagram. “Due to changes in the card I been left as the odd man out. I appreciate Dana White and UFC for giving me an opportunity to fight in my hometown and taking care of me even though I’m not fighting. I believe God has something better for me and I will wait faithfully to see how it unfolds.”
To see the revised UFC 311 fight card click here.
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: “Makhachev vs. Moicano” 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.