UFC 311 main event scrapped at last-minute as Dana White announces Islam Makhachev’s new opponent
Arman Tsarukyan has pulled out of his UFC 311 main event with Islam Makhachev.
The pair were due to square off on Saturday night for Makhachev's UFC lightweight.
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However, company president Dana White has announced that Renato Moicano will step in for Tsarukyan, who is unable to fight due to a back injury.
"What's up, everybody! I have got some breaking news for you this morning," said White in a video uploaded to his social media.
"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.
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"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.
"He has won six of his last seven fights including his last four in a row with three of those coming via finish.
"The guy is an absolute savage and every fight he is in is a war.
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"He weighed in at championship weight to be prepared as the backup fighter in case something happened.
"And when we spoke to him this morning I can tell you he wants this fight.
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"And 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."
Moicano followed up the breaking news with a tweet that read: "Hey guess I will be world champion tomorrow!
"God is so good! Thank you for all the support."
Tsarukyan and Makhachev fought each other back in April 2019 when both fighters were in the fledgling stages of their careers.
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Makhachev won the fight via unanimous decision and the duo have been on an absolute tear ever since.
Tsarukyan is 9-1 in his last 10 fights and beat Charles Oliveira via split decision in April to earn his shot at the title.
Makhachev, meanwhile, is riding a 14-fight winning streak inside the UFC and will make the fourth defence of his 155lbs strap tomorrow night against No. 10 ranked Moicano.
The challenger is riding high after a massive victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in September and has found a new lease of life at lightweight following a tumultuous run at featherweight.
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