Renato Moicano has spoken out for the first time since booking his first UFC title fight.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was set to defend his belt against top contender Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Saturday night – but their clash was called off at the last minute.
Tsarukyan withdrew from the contest after suffering a back injury while cutting down to 155lbs.
On Friday, Dana White confirmed the Armenian’s devastating injury news and announced that he had been replaced by Renato Moicano, who was supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the UFC 311 undercard.
Renato Moicano breaks silence on UFC 311
It didn’t take long for Moicano to aim a social media message at his new UFC 311 opponent.
“’Money’ Moicano is coming for the belt,” he said.
“Be ready, Islam Makhachev. Tomorrow is ‘Money’ time.
“Man, I’m so happy 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 for 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 will be the champion of the world.
“Let’s f***ing go! Let’s f***ing go! Time to go.”
Dana White details UFC 311 drama
Dana White officially announced the massive, late-notice change to UFC 311 on social media.
The UFC boss detailed the series of events that saw Tsarukyan replaced by Moicano in his first pay-per-view headliner of 2025.
“What’s up, everybody! I have got some breaking news for you this morning,” he said on Instagram.
“Around 1am we received a call from Arman Tsarukyan who informed us that he was experiencing significant back pain.
“Due to the injury, he feels like he is not healthy enough to compete so he is out of the fight.
“Stepping in to face Islam Makhachev for the title will be Renato Moicano. Moicano has been on a tear since moving up to 155lbs and currently holds the longest active win streak amongst all fighters in the top 10 in the lightweight division.
“When I called Islam, Islam said ‘Brother, I am the champion I don’t care who it is I will fight anyone’.
“Ladies and gentlemen the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano for the lightweight title.
“Live tomorrow night from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. I will see you there.”