Islam Makhachev was told about UFC 311 opponent change by teammate before getting official call

Islam Makhachev's first learning from his UFC 311 opponent -switch did not come from the UFC matchmakers.

UFC Lichtweight Champion Islam Makhachev had to scratch his game plan for Arman Tsarukyan to face a new opponent only a few hours before UFC 311. After Tsarukyan withdrew at the performance Lichtweight Title showdown with Makhachev.

Makhachev then quickly started working by Micano in the Octagon and ended him through the first round entry. The victory established the UFC record for most lightweight defendants (5) that Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn and Benson Henderson surpassed.

Makhachev's ability to seamlessly adapt to a final second change in the opponent could be seen entirely at UFC 311. UFC CEO Dana White revealed Makhakev's cold response to the news of Tsaruukyan's withdrawal and his desire to keep fighting on the card.

But it appears that neither white nor the UFC matchmakers were the first to let Makhachev know about the last second switch.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

The teammate of Islam Makhachev was the first to be aware of UFC 311 News

In a recent interview with Ushatayka, Makhachev revealed that his teammate, Zubaira Tukhugov, was the first to inform the lightweight title holder of the opponent switch. Tukhugov woke up Makhachev with a phone call that he told that he had heard that Tsarukyan could not compete on UFC 311.

Minutes after the call, White and the UFC matchmakers contacted Makhachev to confirm the Tukhugov statement. After Tsarukyan contacted the promotion about his back injury, the UFC matchmakers hurried to save the UFC 311 Main Event by promoting Moicano.

Moicano was supposed to be confronted with Beneuil Dariush in a three-round fight on the UFC 311 head card.

Islam Makhachev has many intriguing options after UFC 311 performance

Makhachev cemented himself as the pound-for-pound king of the UFC after another dominant performance on UFC 311. He could possibly pursue a second championship on the middleweight or goodweight, especially after recent back and forth with Dricus du Persis.

After UFC 311 Makhachev was possible Charles Oliveira Rematchen for his next defending defense after the victory of Oliveira over UFC 309 in November. Oliveira lost to Makhachev through the entry for the then vacant lightweight title on UFC 280, which Kickstart decorated Makhachev's.

How Makhachev first learned about the change of the UFC 311 opponent is appropriate in view of the close -knit community of Team Khabib, with some of the best hunters in mixed martial arts. Looking ahead to his fighter suggestion, the Pound-for-Pond Koning is ready for new, new challenges in the Achthoek.

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