Islam Makhachev had to completely change up his game plan on short notice as he was forced into a new main event for Saturday’s UFC event.
The Russian was due to face Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight title rematch as the main event of UFC 311, but when his rival pulled out with an injury on weigh-in day, Renato Moicano stepped up. This left Beneil Dariush in the lurch, but fans got behind ‘Money’ as he made his unlikely charge towards the title.
The fight came just seconds after the champion’s head coach Khabib Nurmagomedov had to watch as his cousin Umar lost for the first time in the co-main event. Merab Dvalishvili got the best of the Russian on that occasion, brining Eagle MMA’s record to 1-1 for the night.
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Islam Makhachev vs Renato Moicano UFC 311 result
After the tough showing from team Khabib in the co-main event, Islam Makhachev had even more pressure on his shoulders as he welcomed Renato Moicano to the big leagues. The pair refused to touch gloves as they headed to their corners before the fight.
Makhachev was looking to make history by making the most lightweight title defences in UFC history. Engagement was stopped early as referee Herb Dean called on the challenger to watch his fingers during a brief warning.
Makhachev was seemingly hurt by a good shot by Moicano around the halfway mark of round one, but it appeared on second glance to be a slip. The champion then took the fight down and took control of his challenger.
He locked in a Darce choke as Moicano attempted to get back to his feet, breaking the record for the most lightweight title defences in UFC history in the process.
UFC 311 main event was cancelled at the eleventh hour
The main event was a new one after Tsarukyan’s pullout, and required Makhachev to execute a brand new game plan. Moicano was much better known for his jiu-jitsu, while the original challenger was expected to compete with the wrestling of his rival.
However, Makhachev showed his credentials as the sport’s pound-for-pound number one when he accepted such a change despite the late notice. Dana White announced on the weigh-in show yesterday that the fight was off, but immediately confirmed the new main event.
White said in his Instagram announcement video: “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. He weighed in on championship weight to be prepared as the back-up in case something happened, and when we spoke to him this morning, I can tell you, he wants this fight.”
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