The fight game is unforgiving, and UFC 311 proves it yet again. Arman Tsarukyan, poised for a career-defining rematch against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. So where does that leave the main event for the first UFC PPV (pay-per-view) of 2025?

With less than a day to prepare, Renato Moicano has accepted the challenge of facing the pound-for-pound and lightweight king! The announcement sent shockwaves through the MMA world. But things got even more intense during the ceremonial weigh-in. The atmosphere was electric as the fighters stood face-to-face for the first time.

And when Joe Rogan placed the microphone in front of the Brazilian challenger, he made his intentions clear with a defiant and unwavering statement. ‘Money’ Moicano proclaimed, “I don’t give a f—–. I cannot afford to f—– lose and that’s true. Doesn’t matter if it’s the champion or not. Tomorrow, I’m winning.”

The champion, on the other hand, exuded the calm confidence that has become his trademark as he also took the time to address the fans present at the venue. Speaking to Rogan, Makhachev expressed his determination to deliver for the fans as he confessed, “I couldn’t leave these people without a fight. This is all for you guys.”

When Rogan asked if the sudden change in opponent altered his approach, Makhachev’s reply was swift and to the point, “No, same. Smash my opponent, that’s it. No matter who is going to be in front of me, let’s go.”

This is not the first time the Dagestani phenom has faced a short-notice replacement for a title fight. At UFC 294 in 2023, Charles Oliveira‘s abrupt withdrawal led to a late matchup with Alexander Volkanovski, which Makhachev handled with ease by knocking out ‘The Great’ in the first round with a vicious head-kick. Is that the same fate that awaits Renato Moicano? It remains to be seen.

But the Brazilian challenger may prove to be a worthy opponent for the champion, even with the short-notice nature of the bout. ‘Money’ is currently on a 4-fight win streak and 3 of those have come via finish, illustrating the threat he brings to the Octagon. So, what did Khabib Nurmagomedov have to say about this massive change to his friend and protégé’s title defense?

Khabib Nurmagomedov empathizes with Arman Tsarukyan as Islam Makhachev faces a new challenger at UFC 311  

As the MMA sphere gets ready to witness a new challenger take on Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, Khabib Nurmagomedov has stepped forward with a heartfelt response. In a recent conversation with the UFC’s social media team, ‘The Eagle’ stated, “Honestly, it can happen with anybody. In March 2017, it happened with me too. Then after that, I went to the hospital, had surgery, came back and I told the UFC ‘It was my mistake, give me another guy, I’m going to beat this guy and deserve my title shot’.”

He further continued by offering Arman Tsarukyan encouragement and urged him to persevere in the face of such a massive blow to his title aspirations. Nurmagomedov stated, “I just want to wish him all the best. He’s young, tough, he can come back. He’ll have to survive this situation and come back.”

Nurmagomedov also highlighted Moicano’s UFC experience, noting his 10+ years in the promotion and a four-fight win streak that signals he’s in his prime. He acknowledged the matchup as competitive, emphasizing that ‘Team Khabib’ won’t make the mistake of underestimating Moicano despite the change in opponent.

In the end, as the Octagon braces for Renato Moicano’s short-notice heroics, questions loom. Can Renato Moicano, with his fearless spirit, disrupt the champion’s reign? Or will Islam Makhachev’s precision prove too much? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!