Moicano Vows To ‘Shock The World’ Against Makhachev

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Let today’s UFC 311 drama serve as a reminder to all contenders who compete in the same division (and on the same fight card) as the current champion, because you never know when the promo…


UFC 281: Riddell v Moicano
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Let today’s UFC 311 drama serve as a reminder to all contenders who compete in the same division (and on the same fight card) as the current champion, because you never know when the promotion is going to need a last-minute replacement.

Renato Moicano tipped the scale at 155 pounds for his Beneil Dariush fight on Jan. 18 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. But No. 1-ranked title contender, Arman Tsarukyan, was unable to stay in the lineup, forcing matchmakers to scramble for a new opponent.

Islam Makhachev will now defend his 155-pound title against the red-hot Brazilian.

“Money Moicano is coming for the belt! Be ready, Islam Makhachev,” Moicano said in a Twitter video posted by UFC. “Tomorrow is ‘Money’ time. I’m so happy that I got this opportunity. I have been working for this for a long time, and I knew that it could happen. That’s why I was training five rounds. That’s why I was training with a southpaw. I’m ready, and tomorrow I’m going to shock the world. Be ready because I am. This is ‘Money’ Moicano, and tomorrow I’m going to become champion of the world. Let’s f*cking go.”

Sadly, Dariush will be sent to the sidelines to await his next assignment.

“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.