Renato Moicano wasn’t the contracted backup for the UFC 311 main event but he was staying ready for the opportunity to face Islam Makhachev just in case that actually happened.

Now he’s getting that opportunity to compete for the UFC lightweight title after Arman Tsarukyan was knocked out of the fight with a back injury Moicano is now set to face Makhachev in the new UFC 311 main event after he hit the scale at 155 pounds on Friday, which allows him to compete for the championship after accepting the last minute offer to replace Tsarukyan.

While he never lost focus on his originally scheduled fight against Beneil Dariush, the 35-year-old Brazilian knew this was a possibility as soon as he got the offer to compete on the same card as the lightweight title fight.

“There was no conversation about [being the backup] but once they offered me the card and I knew the title fight would be on the line, who knows right? Who knows?” Moicano told MMA Fighting prior Friday’s shocking announcement.

“I was on the same card when Max Holloway could not make the weight and Al Iaquinta got his title shot [at UFC 223]. I don’t think he would ever get a title shot if it was not like that. For me, I will be ready. If somebody cannot make it to fight day, I can. So I will be over there for sure.”

Moicano’s readiness paid off after his fellow American Top Team fighter fell out of the main event on Friday prior to hitting the scale to weigh in for the fight against Makhachev.

While taking a five-round title fight on one day’s notice isn’t ideal, Moicano always knew there was a chance this could happen so he definitely had that idea packed away in the back of his mind.

“I’m not getting extra money [to serve as the backup],” Moicano said. “It’s just good for me to fight on the same night as the title fight because of course, I will get a lot of exposure and I can try to make my case to fight for a title.”

Even prior to the stunning announcement, Moicano said that he was most concerned about staying active in the division but his ultimate goal was always the title shot.

“At this point of my career, I just want to keep being active and keep winning,” Moicano said. “Like I said, I have six wins in the lightweight division. Everybody keeps bringing up the Rafael dos Anjos fight but that was at 160 [pounds]. That was not 155. So in the lightweight division I have six wins and five finishes.

“It’s just a matter of keep winning, keep beating up people and eventually, I will fight for the title.”

It’s safe to say, Moicano was more than excited to get the call after he was announced as the new challenger to Makhachev’s title on Saturday.

“‘Money’ Moicano’s coming for the belt,” Moicano said. “Be ready Islam Makhachev. Tomorrow is money time. I’m so happy that I got this opportunity. I have been working for this for a long time. I knew that could happen. That’s why I was training five rounds, I was training with southpaws. I’m ready and tomorrow, I’m going to shock the world. Be ready because I am.

“Tomorrow, I will be champion of the world. Let’s f*cking go.”