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Islam Makhachev’s longtime training partner and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, is sympathetic to his protégé’s opponent Arman Tsarukyan, who was forced to suddenly withdrawal from their scheduled Lightweight title clash.
The bout was supposed to take place tomorrow (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) from Inglewood, California, but a back injury suffered while cutting weight forced Tsarukyan’s hand and removed him from the event. Instead, veteran contender Renato Moicano — originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 — will receive the title shot with little time for either party to prepare for their new foes. It’s a difficult situation, but Coach Khabib was more understanding than upset.
“Honestly, I knew this yesterday (at) 1 a.m. (at) night before I go to sleep,” Nurmagomedov explained (via MMAJunkie). “Honestly, this can happen with anybody.
“If you guys remember 2017 March, it happened with me too. Then after that, I go hospital, make surgery, come back, and I tell UFC if it was my mistake, give me other best guy. I’m gonna beat this guy and deserve my title shot. It was same thing with me, you know, I just want to wish him all the best.”
The 2017 situation Nurmagomedov referenced was his planned UFC 209 clash versus Tony Ferguson. Complications with Nurmagomedov’s weight cut sent him to the hospital, cancelling the match up for the third time, and it infamously never ended up happening at all.
It’s worth-mentioning that Nurmagomedov can surely relate to his student’s situation as well. A year later, Khabib was again supposed to face Tony Ferguson, who withdrew from an injury. The Russian accepted short-notice replacement Max Holloway, who was pulled by the Athletic Commission in the midst of his weight cut. Khabib instead faced Al Iaquinta for the belt, dominating the New Yorker for five full rounds.
Will history repeat itself tomorrow evening?
Insomnia
Oh yeah, this series of highlights is suddenly extremely relevant. Moicano can’t afford to let his right hand get timed like this against Islam …
Renato Moicano takedown defense, scrambles, and escapes pic.twitter.com/drp6dlSOvV
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) January 17, 2025
If Renato Moicano somehow pulls off the upset tomorrow, it’s the greatest UFC moment of the decade.
Here is some of the money that Moicano threw out to the crowd at yesterday’s press conference.
I’m not sure if it is legal tender. Perhaps if he pulls off the upset tomorrow, it will be discussed. pic.twitter.com/19xHFbwnCx
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 18, 2025
I respect a hot take, but it’s hard for me to understand DJ on this one.
Demestrious Johnson thinks the UFC 311 card is better with Renato Moicano stepping in to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice, and believes Moicano is a more dangerous fight for Makhachev than Arman Tsarukyan:
“I think it’s a better fight…I think it’s a tougher fight for… pic.twitter.com/gFGQZtoMUd
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 18, 2025
On the flip side, it’s hard to care that much about Islam Makhachev likely breaking the Lightweight title defense record when two of the four were against short-notice opposition even if it’s not his fault.
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
Speaking of …
Why didn’t you call me??
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 17, 2025
Another PFL fighter demanding his release in search of greener pastures …
PFL doesn’t respect or value any of their fighters. I’m done being quiet about it. Let me go too. You want to strip us of our dignity imprison us to your ever changing terms and drown our future potential. Let me go. I don’t ever want to wear your gloves again. @PFLMMA
— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) January 17, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili MIGHT be a pretty good wrestler.
Merab is #2 all time in takedowns landed.
He ranks #1 in the bantamweight division for control time (1:14:05)#UFC311 pic.twitter.com/ySPMfKvyUU
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 15, 2025
Unfortunately, Trey Ogden suffered serious injury last week at UFC Vegas 101.
The coolest fighter art I’ve seen in quite some time.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Click through for a full thread of Gilbert Melendez clips! One of the Lightweight kings …
Melendez(3-0) vs Olaf Alfonso(3-0)
WEC 10: Bragging Rights
Melendez finishes Alfonso in the 3rd and becomes the 1st WEC LW Champion pic.twitter.com/M4n8vANDFh
— Underrated Tribal Chief (@MMAUnderrated) January 16, 2025
The naked low kick claims another victim …
Dropped him and gets the finish! #FuryFC100 pic.twitter.com/FofqhFN0EU
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) January 13, 2025
A lovely arm-in guillotine.
Guillotina en el 1R de Yamato Fujita (13-5) #UAEWarriors57 pic.twitter.com/pCfeKqm32Z
— Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) January 17, 2025
Random Land
Would watch!
hear me out: A Netflix series where MMA champions go undercover to Eagles games wearing the opposing team’s jersey
— Swan (@AndySwan) January 13, 2025
Midnight Music: Folk, 1969
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.