Author: Dan Hiergesell

UFC 311 takes place tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) in Inglewood (Los Angeles), Calif., from inside Intuit Dome, with the last-second, re-worked pay-per-view (PPV) main event between Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, and Top 10-ranked contender, Renato Moicano (Arman Tsarukyan-related injury details here).

And the dangerous Brazilian is, “ready to shock the world!”

In UFC 311’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, Bantamweight roost-ruler, Merab Dvalishvili, defends his title against the formidable Umar Nurmagomedov, promising a battle of technique and power. UFC 311’s first event of the New Year will also feature the exciting Light Heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill, as well as a Middleweight showdown between Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder.

All that and SO MUCH MORE!

UFC 311’s entire “Prelims” undercard will stream on ESPN+ (in English and Spanish), beginning at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT before the PPV main card action kicks off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (also on ESPN+). Of course, UFC 311 odds and betting available at DraftKings Sportsbook.

MMAmania.com will deliver bell-to-bell results coverage of UFC 311 online LIVE all evening (late) night, including latest fight updates, fight recaps, video highlights, winners, losers, press conference streams and all the other post-fight fallout you can handle well into Sunday. Buckle up! We’ll have all the news that’s fit to print and much, much more. We’ve got UFC 311’s entire card — including “Prelims” undercard matches on ESPN+ — all covered below in our comprehensive story stream.

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+/ESPNEWS “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

It was going to take something serious to knock Arman Tsarukyan out of his lightweight title fight opposite current champion Islam Makhachev later tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) at UFC 311 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Calif., but that’s exactly what happened during his last sparring session.

Tsarukyan, who is coming off back-to-back wins over Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira to push his current UFC win streak to four, undoubtedly earned his rematch with Makhachev. The 28-year-old contender looked primed to give the champion a real run for his money, but an unfortunate back injury during the final week of training knocked Tsarukyan out of UFC 311’s main event.

UFC CEO Dana White announced Tsarukyan’s official withdrawal on Friday and pegged Renato Moicano as his replacement.

At first, fight fans didn’t know the severity of Tsarukyan’s injury. Tsarukyan said he had to make the “hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career,” but exactly how bad was he hurt? On Friday, MMA Junkie caught up with Tsarukyan’s coach, “Parrumpa,” to get the finer details of his fighter’s injury.

“The last sparring session he tweaked his back a little bit,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad. We thought it’s just the end of the camp. The body’s feeling it. And then he took a few days off. He was fine. And then we start fight week and everything was going great. The spasm, the pain was there, but he was powering through it. He never thought about not fighting. Never. He did so much for this camp.

“On Wednesday night after the last training he was complaining a little more. This guy doesn’t complain. He’s not a guy that keeps complaining about every single pain in his body. So when he did complain on Wednesday night we had to listen to him. His weight was going down a little bit. He was really good on weight. So that’s one of the reasons why this back pain arouse because the weight was going down.

“Thursday we went to the press conference and after the press conference he had to go see a doctor. He still wanted to fight. Still wanted to power through it. We started the weight cut and then a few sessions in on the weight cut he couldn’t do it anymore. He couldn’t even stand. He couldn’t even sit up. He had to stay laying on a bed.”

If Tsarukyan is able to heal up fast should he get another UFC title shot upon his return or is it back of the line for the Armenian contender?

Let us know!

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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.

Headlining UFC’s first big event of the year was a hot ticket to say the least, which is why a collection of UFC superstars tried filling in for an injured Arman Tsarukyan later tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) at UFC 311 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

Tonight’s PPV event from L.A. will be led by a lightweight title fight between reigning UFC champion Islam Makhachev and fan favorite Renato Moicano, but that wasn’t the case just 24 hours ago. Makhachev was originally scheduled to meet Tsarukyan in an anticipated rematch atop the main card, but Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw early Friday due to back issues.

UFC matchmakers eventually turned to Moicano — who was already competing on the PPV undercard against fellow lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush — to fill the void. However, “Money” wasn’t the only well-known fighter willing to fight Makhachev on short notice. In fact, a collection of former UFC champions and top contenders tried scoring a shot at the UFC lightweight crown.

Check them out below and let us know if any of these other fighters would have made a better choice than Moicano:

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski — who already has two losses at the hands of Makhachev — wondered why UFC matchmakers didn’t call him.

“Why didn’t you call me??”

Another featherweight, Diego Lopes, revealed that he tried to step up on short notice to get his first-ever UFC title shot. Things just didn’t work out.

“We tried, but it couldn’t be done. Remember, there is only one life and it is made to take advantage of opportunities.”

Lightweight contender Michael Chandler also took to social media to throw his name in the mix.

“Here am I, send me…”

Even former UFC champion Charles Oliveira — who lost his title to Makhachev via submission back at UFC 280 — teased fight fans with a video from the sauna. Check it out below:

Despite losing to Makhachev at UFC 302 last June, perennial lightweight contender Dustin Poirier was willing to take a rematch at a catchweight.

“Hit me up @UFC.”

The news of Tsarukyan’s withdrawal was such a big deal that even fighters not currently signed to UFC tried stepping in. Our good old friend, Dillon Danis, tried settling his long-standing beef with Makhachev and his team.

“Perfect time to settle everything. I’ll fly to LA tomorrow and fight @MAKHACHEVMMA no problem. I submit the inbred inside one round and send him back to his brother-and-sister parents. @moicanoufc is literally absolute garbage. This can’t be considered a title fight, and no one wants to see it. Let’s make it happen. I’m ready.”

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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.

Islam Makhachev didn’t bat an eye when Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of their lightweight title fight this weekend at UFC 311. The reigning UFC lightweight champion simply rolled with the punches and called for a new opponent and a new contract.

Makhachev, who is coming into UFC 311 riding a 14-fight win streak, is already considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. He was a sizeable betting favorite to defend his title against Tsarukyan and will be an even bigger favorite against short-notice replacement, Renato Moicano.

Makhachev has never been the type of fighter to shy away from a challenge and has accepted last-second replacement opponents in the past. However, his willingness to defend his title against a new and very dangerous contender on 48 hours notice should not be overlooked. Makhachev’s decision to fight Moicano saved UFC’s first major PPV of 2025.

What makes Makhachev even more badass was how he reacted to the news of Tsarukyan’s injury and subsequent withdrawal. The UFC champion was as cool as a cucumber. Check it out below:

“When the gladiator come to the arena, he never choses opponent…just send me contract that’s it.

“Tomorrow night it doesn’t matter who’s going to step to the cage, I’m gonna smash them there”

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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.

Renato Moicano has stepped up in a huge way and won over the UFC crowd on Friday night in advance to his first-ever lightweight title shot.

The veteran fighter will be taking on reigning UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king, Islam Makhachev, in the main event at UFC 311 later tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Moicano was originally expected to fight Beneil Dariush on the PPV undercard, but after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from the main event “Money” was asked to fill in.

Moicano, who has become a big fan favorite on the heels of a four-fight win streak, didn’t hesitate one bit before accepting a short-notice title fight against the consensus best fighter in the world. Instead, Moicano put his money where is mouth is, agreed to fight Makhachev on two days notice, and will try to pull off the impossible.

After all, Moicano will be a massive betting underdog entering Saturday’s title fight.

That said, “Money” will have the support of the L.A. crowd. At Thursday’s pre-fight press conference the Brazilian fighter doubled down on his “Money” nickname and decided to throw fake money with his face on it into the crowd. Moicano followed his efforts up at Friday’s ceremonial weigh ins, delivering a chilling message to fight fans after an intense staredown with Makhachev.

Check it out below:

“I don’t give a f—k. I cannot afford to f—king lose,” said Moicano as the crowd cheered on. “Doesn’t matter if it’s the champion or not. Tomorrow I’m winning.”

What do you think, fight fans? Can Moicano pull off a huge upset at UFC 311 and end Makhachev’s 14-fight win streak?

Let us know!

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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.

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!”

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:

“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.

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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.