Recap Newsweek's UFC 311 fight night updates as reigning champions Islam Makhachev and Merab Dvalishvili retained their titles on a wild night at Intuit Dome.
In the main event of UFC 311, we saw a lightweight title fight that came together in a little less than 24 hours. Lightweight champion and current P4P king Islam Makhachev (26-1) took on Renato Moicano (20-5-1). Originally, Moicano was supposed to face Beneil Dariush while Makhachev was supposed to face Arman Tsarukyan.
Makhachev was set to defend his title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, while Moicano was to face Beneil Dariush. However, everything changed at the official morning weigh-ins when Tsarukyan withdrew from his title opportunity due to a back injury.
Beneil Dariush may have found a new opponent after his UFC 311 distaster. The long-time lightweight contender was supposed to fight Renato Moicano at the Intuit Dome in California on Saturday night – but he was taken off the card after an injury-induced reshuffle.
For one fleeting moment in the first round of Saturday night's UFC 311 main event, it looked like we might witness one of the greatest upsets in MMA
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has been removed from the UFC 311 fight card due to a last-minute shakeoff. Originally slated to face Renato Moicano, Dariush's bout was canceled when Moicano was promoted to the main event to challenge reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Beneil Dariush puts out a statement after his opponent Renato Moicano stepped in to fight UFC Champ Islam Makhachev. Beneil Dariush won't be among the fighters making the walk tomorrow for UFC 311.
Gilbert Burns places a bold $50,000 bet with Islam Makhachev’s manager, confidently backing Renato Moicano to secure the win.
Here are the walkout times for the UFC 311 main event between Makhachev and Moicano. The UFC 311 lineup consists of 13 fights. Early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, prelims at 8 p.m. ET, and the main card at 10 p.m. ET. As the main event, Makhachev and Moicano are expected to walk out at approximately 12:45 a.m. ET (9:45 p.m. locally in Los Angeles).
Arman Tsarukyan's nearly six-year journey to the UFC lightweight title will take a little longer. Tsarukyan suffered an injury two nights before challenging lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.
Arman Tsarukyan has been forced out of the main event at UFC 311, with Brazil's Renato Moicano stepping in to challenge Islam Makhachev on one day's notice.