Featured Image Credit: Dana White/ Getty
Topics: UFC, Dana White
Ben McCrum
Dana White has made a massive announcement about UFC 311 just one day before the fight card is set to take place.
On Saturday, the UFC is hosting its first pay-per-view card of the year in Los Angeles, with both the lightweight and bantamweight titles on the line.
Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was scheduled to face former foe Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of the evening, while bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will face Umar Nurmagomedov.
But now, UFC president and CEO White has spoken out to confirm a massive change to the main event of the evening, and it will shock fans.
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Speaking on social media, White confirmed that Tsarukyan has withdrawn from facing Makhachev in the main event on Saturday due to an injury to his back.
But, the lightweight title will still be on the line, as Renato Moicano is set to step in and challenge Makhachev for the belt in Los Angeles.
Announcing the news on social media, White said: "Around 1am we received a call from Arman Tsarukyan who informed us that he was experiencing some significant back pain.
"Due to the injury he feels that he is not healthy enough to compete, so he is out of the fight."
"So, stepping in to face Islam Makhachev for the title will be Renato Moicano"
The UFC boss confirmed that Moicano, who was originally scheduled to face Beneil Dariush earlier in the card, was the official back-up fighter for the main event and weighed in at championship weight to prepare for a situation like this.
White added that both Moicano and his new opponent Makhachev were excited at the prospect of facing each other and accepted the late change of opponent without hesitation.
"When we spoke to him (Moicano) this morning, I can tell you he wants this fight," White said.
"And when I called Islam, Islam said 'Brother, I am the champion, I don't care who it is I will fight anyone.'"
Moicano currently holds the longest active win streak in the lightweight top ten and is coming off the back of a career-best win over Benoit Saint-Denis in September.
The Brazilian star has long been rumoured as a potential opponent for Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett, but has now been given the opportunity of a lifetime to shock the world a dethrone the long-reigning lightweight champion.