Arman Tsarukyan is out. Renato Moicano is in. Islam Makhachev is still headlining UFC 311. And everyone has something to say about it.
During Friday’s official UFC 311 weigh-ins, the promotion announced that an injury has forced Tsarukyan to withdraw from his bout with lightweight champion Makhachev, which was to headline Saturday’s event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Stepping in to replace Tsarukyan is Renato Moicano, who was originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on the main card.
Both Moicano and Dariush successfully made championship weight, making them eligible to be a backup for the main event. Moicano, currently on a four-fight win streak, got the call and now has the opportunity to upset not just the UFC’s No. 1 lightweight, but the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Several fighters publicly stepped up to accept the opportunity, including Dustin Poirier and Diego Lopes, while others simply reacted in amazement at the shakeup to the first UFC pay-per-view of 2025.
See more fighter reactions from social media 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
Somebody tell me they are lying... damn it! https://t.co/nnp9nHFi2N
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) January 17, 2025
Hit me up @ufc https://t.co/F1Ky2Fajlx
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 17, 2025