Late last night, about 24 hours before the first Pay-Per-View of 2025, Dana White announced that UFC 311 in Los Angeles would feature another main event title fight.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev retained his spot as one half of the headliner, with the pound-for-pound king now facing off against popular contender Renato Moicano.
The rescheduled title fight comes after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of UFC 311 with an injury, with his head coach now explaining exactly what went wrong for 'Ahalkalakets'.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Arman Tsarukyan's coach explains his withdrawal from UFC 311
While Arman Tsarukyan has broken his silence on his withdrawal, the excitable Armenian has not revealed many details about what happened in recent hours.
Enter coach Marcos DaMatta, who explained to MMA Junkie that Arman Tsarukyan started experiencing spasms and pain in his back; already started last Tuesday.
“It wasn't that bad, and we thought it was because it's the end of camp and the body is kind of feeling it. He took a few days off and he was doing well.
“Then we started fight week, everything was going great – the spasms and the pain were there, but he got through it, he never thought about not fighting, never.”
DaMatta stated that during the entire fight week on Saturday evening, Tsarukyan focused on fighting Islam Makhachev; However, things took a turn for the worse when they started losing weight.
“But on Wednesday night, after the last training, he really complained a bit more and this guy doesn't complain, he's not someone who complains about every little ache in his body, he never does that.
“So when he complained on Wednesday night, we had to listen to him. His weight dropped a little bit, he was in really good shape, so that's one of the reasons why this back pain happened, because the weight dropped.”
Tsarukyan immediately went to a doctor after attending Thursday's pre-fight press conference, with both back spasms and pain getting worse with every pound he shed.
“He still wanted to fight and get through it, we started losing weight and after a few sessions he couldn't do it anymore. Then Hunter and 'Doctor D' had to come into the house to talk about it.
“Unfortunately he made the decision that it was wise not to fight because he couldn't even stand, he couldn't even sit up – you know he had to stay on the bed.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends a heartfelt message to Arman Tsarukyan
According to DaMatta, Tsarukyan remains “very dejected” about the situation, even though he is only 28 years old and still has plenty of time to get another shot at the title.
“He is still young in this sport and young in life, he still has many chances to fight for titles again and again, his health is more important than anything,” said the coach, adding: “I I think he should be fine.” a few weeks.”
One man who agrees with that sentiment is the man who should have been in the opposite corner, with Khabib Nurmagomedov sending a heartfelt message of support to Tsarukyan over the injury.
“Honestly, it can happen to anyone. It happened to me too in March 2017… It was the same for me. I just want to wish him all the best. He's young, he's tough, he can come back. He will have to survive this situation and come back.”
UFC 311: Makhachev vs Moicano takes place on Saturday, January 18 live from LA.
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