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Brett Okamoto, ESPN editor
LOS ANGELES — The UFC’s first pay-per-view event of 2025 underwent a major change Friday, as lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan was forced out of Saturday’s UFC 311 at Intuit Inglewood Dome due to back injury.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1) will now defend his title against Renato Moicano (22-3), who was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush on the card. UFC CEO Dana White announced the change Friday morning during official weigh-ins.
“(Tsarukyan) informed us that he was experiencing significant back pain,” White said. “Due to his injury, he feels like he is not healthy enough to compete. Renato Moicano is replacing him.”
Tsarukyan, 28, was about to gain weight but injured his back.
“I regret to inform everyone that the news that I had to withdraw from UFC 311 due to a back injury is true,” Tsarukyan said. “This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for their understanding and I look forward to competing for my first UFC championship in the future.”
Makhachev, who is seeking the fourth defense of his 155-pound championship, told ESPN in a statement that the last-minute change didn’t bother him.
“Champions don’t choose their opponents,” Makhachev said. “As long as there’s someone who can make 155, I’ll fight anyone.”
Moicano (20-5-1) is on a four-fight winning streak and ranks 10th in the division. He is coming off a second-round stoppage at Benoit Saint-Denis in September.
