Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano faced off for the first time at the UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday after a whirlwind few hours which saw a new main event announced.
The lightweight champion was originally scheduled to take on Arman Tsarukyan in the main event in a highly anticipated rematch but it was announced that Tsarukyan was out due to injury just moments before the weigh-ins.
With that, UFC boss Dana White announced that Renato Moicano was stepping in to take on Islam Makhachev as he was already scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 311.
Moicano is riding an impressive four-fight win streak and is currently ranked number 10 in the 155lb division.
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Islam Makhachev reacts to his intense face-off with Renato Moicano
Following the whirlwind few hours at the official weigh-ins where both Makhachev and Moicano weighed in at 155lbs, the two were then transported to the Intuit Dome arena for the ceremonial weigh-ins.
This was their first face-off ahead of their late-notice main event on Saturday and it was as intense as expected.
‘Money’ Moicano has become one of the most outspoken fighters on the UFC roster and has emerged as a favorite amongst fans because of his fun fight style and personality on the microphone.
Despite that, during their face-off, the Brazilian kept an intense stare and didn’t pull any antics, attempting to stay completely locked in.
After White signaled them to face forward for the crowd to capture their last photos, Makhachev said: “Ready?”
“Yeah, you ready?” Moicano replied.
“Born ready. Be ready,” Makhachev said.
When it was announced that Moicano would be stepping in on late notice, in typical Moicano fashion, he claimed that he cannot afford to lose the fight, living up to his ‘Money’ nickname.
Following their extremely intense first and final face-off before their clash, the champion reacted as he claimed Moicano is ‘predictable’.
“Moicano is a dangerous guy, he did well in a couple of his last fights, you know?” Makhachev began to explain immediately after their face-off.
“He’s still dangerous, I respect him because he took this fight and he has to be grateful because I gave him the opportunity to fight for the title.
“I saw a couple of his fights but we have to sit with the team and watch his fights again. He’s very predictable, I know his game, you know, he’s good on the ground, he takes the back (well) but I never give my back in the UFC… I couldn’t leave this arena without a fight,” Makhachev continued.
Renato Moicano sends a warning to Islam Makhachev
Makhachev’s head coach and longtime friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov had a similar situation when he beat Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 after several late notice pullouts.
Although the Brazilian challenger is playing the role of the underdog and there isn’t a lot of expectation on his shoulders, he has sent the Russian champion a warning.
“I think I will beat Islam tomorrow, I truly believe that and I’m not going to try and sell anybody that but I believe inside my heart that he’s in trouble tomorrow, that’s what I feel. Please count me out, everybody count me out, everyone will see tomorrow,” Moicano told the UFC.