UFC 311 has a new main event

On January 18, 2025By Littum

Dana White (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

UFC 311 is getting a new main event.

On Friday, just before the official weigh-in, drew no. 1-contender Arman Tsarukyan pulls out of his fight against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev due to a back injury.

UFC President Dana White did official announcement on social media.

Renato Moicano, originally scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on Saturday, will step in to replace Tsarukyan and challenge for Makhachev’s title.

Tsarukyan took to Instagram to confirm the report.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia is seen on stage during UFC 311 … (+) press conference at the Intuit Dome on January 16, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)

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

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: Renato Moicano of Brazil poses on the scale during UFC 311 … (+) official weigh-in at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on January 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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Moicano was excited about the opportunity. He weighed in the championship scales on Friday, understanding that he was the alternate. Moicano responded to X.

“Hey guess what I’ll be world champion tomorrow! God is so good! Thanks for all the support.”

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: Islam Makhachev of Russia poses on the scale during UFC 311 … (+) official weigh-in at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on January 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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Makhachev apparently accepted the new opponent without hesitation. He posted this on X.

“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 facing you. What can I say? No? NEVER. Let’s do this!”

However, at 14:30 Dariush was pulled from the card Michael Chandler wrote the X that he would volunteer for Moicano.

“Here I am, send me.”

It’s a fight many would love to see, and it would add some unexpected flair to UFC 311. Chandler was already on his way to Los Angeles. We will see if it is possible to keep Dariush on the card or if he is willing to fight Chandler.

With the change to the main event, here is the new UFC 311 card.

UFC 311 Main Card (10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)

UFC Lightweight Title Fight: Islam Makhachev (Champion) vs. (10) Renato Moicano
UFC Bantamweight Title Fight: Merab Dvalishvili (Champion) vs. (2) Umar Nurmagomedov
Lightweight bout: (9) Beneil Dariush drew
Light heavyweight bout: (2) Jiří Procházka vs. (3) Jamahal Hill
Middleweight fight: Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder

UFC 311 Preliminary Card (8 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS & ESPN+)

Light heavyweight bout: (13) Bogdan Guskov vs. Billy Elekana
Bantamweight bout: Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
Heavyweight bout: (6) Jailton Almeida vs. (7) Sergei Spivac
Middleweight bout: Zach Reese vs. Azamat Bekoev

UFC 311 Early Preliminary Card (6 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+)

Lightweight fight: Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira
Women’s Bantamweight Fight: Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Perez
Bantamweight bout: Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
Bantamweight Fight: Ricky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj
Flyweight bout: (11) Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter

Stay tuned for more potential updates, weigh-in results and more heading into the UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2025.