Islam Makhachev has reminded Dana White that he’s the real pound-for-pound best fighter in the world after accepting a short-notice replacement for his UFC 311 main event title fight on Saturday.
Over the past few years, Makhachev has turned in a ridiculous 14-fight win streak with three successful title defenses. He’s beaten some of the best fighters in the world along the way, including Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski (twice), and Dustin Poirier. Most fight fans and MMA enthusiasts look at Makhachev as the P4P best in the world with that sort of track record, but White has been reluctant to buy in.
That’s because Jon Jones is that damn good.
On Friday, it was announced that Makhachev’s original opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, was forced to withdraw from their title fight at UFC 311 this weekend live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. As a result, surging lightweight contender Renato Moicano will step up on short notice to fill in.
Funny enough, White called Makhachev the “pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world” while announcing UFC 311’s lineup change and trying to promote the new main event. Check it out below:
“When we spoke to him this morning I can tell you, he wants this fight!” said White earlier Friday. “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!”
Makhachev, who doesn’t really care what White thinks about the current P4P rankings, took to social media shortly after to address his new fight with Moicano. See 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
“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!”
In addition, the undisputed UFC lightweight champion sent a message to White reminding him that he is in fact the P4P best in the world and accepting a short-notice title fight against Moicano proves it. Check it out below:
Islam Makhachev sends a message to Dana White after accepting the fight against Moicano on short notice:
“Dana White now you understand what is the meaning P4P.”
(via. IG / @MAKHACHEVMMA) #UFC #MMA #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/KLPy7IqvjS
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 17, 2025
“Now you understand what is the meaning p4p.”
While UFC matchmakers did their job well to save the main event and keep Makhachev atop the UFC 311 card this weekend is all about Islam. If he’s able to take out a red-hot Moicano tomorrow night to claim his fourth-straight UFC lightweight title defense then he will walk away as the P4P best without a doubt.
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.