Tag: Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan Issues Statement Following UFC 311 Withdrawal

Arman Tsarukyan Issues Statement Following UFC 311 WithdrawalArman Tsarukyan is shedding some light on his shocking withdrawal from Saturday’s UFC 311 headliner in Los Angeles. Emanating…

Arman Tsarukyan Issues Statement Following UFC 311 Withdrawal

Arman Tsarukyan is shedding some light on his shocking withdrawal from Saturday’s UFC 311 headliner in Los Angeles.

Emanating from the Intuit Dome, ‘Ahalkalakets’ was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in the evening’s main event. However, Tsarukyan left fight fans shocked when UFC CEO Dana White revealed during Friday’s official weigh-in show that he had bowed out of the bout due to a back injury.

Few other details about Tsarukyan’s exit had been offered up to that point, but before long, the Armenian took to social media and offered some insight into his injury and the difficult decision to pull out of his golden opportunity.

“I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true,” Tsarukyan wrote on Instagram. “This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”

Tsarukyan is out, Moicano is in

Now, Islam Makhachev will defend his title against the lightweight division’s 10th-ranked contender, Renato Moicano.

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Money’ was originally set to compete on the main card against perennial contender Beneil Dariush. Unfortunately for Dariush, there was no time to secure him a replacement opponent.

“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.”

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UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Renato Moicano Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

UFC 311 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins! The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California provides a chance for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev to record his fourth successful title defense. While that was initially set to come […]

UFC 311 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California provides a chance for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev to record his fourth successful title defense.

While that was initially set to come in the form of a rematch opposite top contender Arman Tsarukyan, a back injury sustained during his weight cut forced the planned challenger to withdraw. Stepping in on 24 hours’ notice will be Renato Moicano, who was originally slated to share the cage with Beneil Dariush on Saturday’s main card.

The stakes will also be high in the co-main event, which will see undefeated bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili look to complete his ascent to the top by unseating current kingpin Merab Dvalishvili in his first defense.

Elsewhere on the UFC 311 card, a pair of former light heavyweight champs in Ji?í Procházka and Jamahal Hill collide, the always entertaining Kevin Holland meets ex-ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder, and Jailton Almeida and Serghei Spivac battle to establish themselves in the heavyweight title picture.

Ahead of the event, all fighters set to compete tomorrow night successfully made weight, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-ins!

Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 7 PM ET.

UFC 311 Ceremonial Weigh-In Video

Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: ‘It Doesn’t Matter Who’

Islam Makhachev remains unfazed by whoever stands across from him in the Octagon on Saturday night, as he’s focused on accomplishing the task at hand. Makhachev was initially slated to defend his lightweight title against former rival Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 this weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. […]

Islam Makhachev remains unfazed by whoever stands across from him in the Octagon on Saturday night, as he’s focused on accomplishing the task at hand.

Makhachev was initially slated to defend his lightweight title against former rival Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 this weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

However, on Friday morning, the headliner took an unforeseen turn when UFC CEO Dana White announced that “Ahalkalakets” had been forced to withdraw from the rematch due to a back injury.

Makhachev will now square off against Renato Moicano in the newly revamped main event of UFC 311. Originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush in a 155-pound clash on the main card, “Money” has now seized the eleventh-hour opportunity to challenge for the UFC title after Tsarukyan’s injury sidelined the original matchup.

The Dagestani champion embraced the unanticipated shift, proudly echoing his own quote, which White had prominently displayed on the walls of the UFC Performance Institute.

“‘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!’” Makhachev wrote on X.

Makhachev is riding a remarkable 14-fight win streak, with his most recent appearance at UFC 303 in June 2024. There, he secured a gritty fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier to successfully retain his title.

Meanwhile, Moicano is on a four-fight win streak and has been relentless since his move to the 155-pound division, boasting six victories in his last seven bouts. “Money” enters this title fight on the back of a dominant second-round TKO (doctor’s stoppage) over Benoît Saint Denis at UFC Paris in September.

Arman Tsarukyan’s First Statement On UFC 311 Withdrawal: ‘Hardest Decision I’ve Ever Had To Make’

Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view. Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds. But the chance to do […]

Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view.

Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds.

But the chance to do so will have to wait, with the Armenian withdrawing from the opening numbered event of 2025 just one day out after injuring his back while cutting weight.

The news was first reported by Red Corner MMA before being confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who also revealed that Renato Moicano has been pulled from his original showdown with Beneil Dariush to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

A clearly devastated Tsarukyan, meanwhile, recently took to social media with his first remarks since the disappointing revelation emerged.

“I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”

Arman Tsarukyan’s First Statement On UFC 311 Withdrawal: ‘Hardest Decision I’ve Ever Had To Make’

Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view. Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds. But the chance to do […]

Arman Tsarukyan has spoken publicly following his decision to pull out of Saturday’s UFC 311 pay-per-view.

Tsarukyan is currently in Los Angeles, where he had hoped to avenge his 2019 loss to Islam Makhachev to capture the lightweight crown and cement himself among the all-time top names at 155 pounds.

But the chance to do so will have to wait, with the Armenian withdrawing from the opening numbered event of 2025 just one day out after injuring his back while cutting weight.

The news was first reported by Red Corner MMA before being confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White, who also revealed that Renato Moicano has been pulled from his original showdown with Beneil Dariush to challenge Makhachev in tomorrow night’s headliner.

A clearly devastated Tsarukyan, meanwhile, recently took to social media with his first remarks since the disappointing revelation emerged.

“I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC Championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”