Arman Tsarukyan and Renato Moicano share a very interesting similarity ahead of the new UFC 311 main event.
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311 hours beforehand due to a back injury he suffered prior to his clash with Islam Makhachev. Just before he was set to compete in the Makhachev title fight, Tsarukyan pulled out, forcing the promotion to get creative in creating a new main event.
After Tsarukyan informed the UFC of his inability to compete in the early morning hours on Friday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Renato Moicano would be promoted to the main event against Makhachev. Moicano was scheduled to face Beneil Dariush in a lightweight bout on the UFC 311 main card.
Few fans and experts give Moicano much of a chance to pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history this weekend. But interestingly, Moicano is arguably better prepared for Makhachev than his previously scheduled fight with Dariush.
Photos by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC, Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Renato Moicano and Arman Tsarukyan share a major similarity ahead of UFC 311
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik pointed out a unique element to the new UFC 311 main event.
“Maybe there would have been a little break because Marcos Parrumpa DaMatta, Arman Tsarukyan's main cornerman, is also Renato Moicano's main cornerman. So you know this camp knows you extremely well,” Anik said. “There is not much upside in winning this battle for Islam, as there would have been some style points and a second victory over Arman.
“But Islam is the man, and that is why he entered the fight.”
Makhachev is making his upcoming lightweight title defense following recent wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. A win this weekend would tie a four-way tie for the UFC record for lightweight title defense.
But Moicano has the opportunity to spoil Makhachev's attempt to make history at UFC 311 this weekend. Since making the full-time move from featherweight to lightweight, Moicano has been a top contender, beating the likes of Benoit Saint-Denis and Jalin Turner.
Tsarukyan's withdrawal comes after recent victories over Charles Oliveira and Dariush to earn the next UFC lightweight title. At the time of writing, a timeline for his expected return is uncertain, but he is expected to get a title shot upon his return to the cage.
Moicano and Tsarukyan are both mainstays of the top American team in South Florida. But Makhachev is the only common opponent the two lightweight contenders share.
The UFC's first pay-per-view card of 2025 offers a major shake-up to the event's top ranks. But for Anik, he doesn't think fans should be surprised if Moicano performs better than expected against the UFC's pound-for-pound king.
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