Dana White announced a major change to the UFC 311 pay-per-view card this Saturday in Los Angeles. Just hours before the official weigh-in on Friday, White and the matchmakers got word that Arman Tsarukyan has an ailing back and that he wouldn’t be able to compete this weekend against Islam Makhachev.

Dana White confirms Arman Tsarukyan's withdrawal due to a back injury; Islam Makhachev now faces Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

Alexander Volkanovski calls out Dana White for not giving him a call after Arman Tsarukyan pulls out of Islam Makachev fight at UFC 311

Set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA, UFC 311 was supposed to feature a rematch between UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan in the night’s main event after the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov challenges UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.

As a result of Tsarukyan's dropout, lightweight contender Renato Moicano is stepping into the main to challenge Makhachev for the 155-pound title on short notice. Moicano was previously scheduled to face fellow veteran contender Beneil Dariush on the pay-per-view card.

The lightweight challenger has to withdraw with a back injury, opening the door for the brash Brazilian and forcing Beneil Dariush off the card.

UFC 311 took an unexpected major turn Friday morning, with Arman Tsarukyan withdrawing from his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev. A new UFC 311 main event is now set as Renato Moicano will step in to challenge Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) for the belt.

UFC president Dana White revealed that Arman Tsarukyan has been forced out of the main event at UFC 311, with Brazil's Renato Moicano stepping in to challenge Islam Makhachev on one day's notice.

One man's heartbreak became another man's opportunity as UFC 311 experienced a dramatic turn of events on weigh-in day in Los Angeles. The main event was all se

Islam Makhachev's fourth UFC lightweight title defense now looks a lot different than what he was preparing for. And yet, that's no problem for the champion. Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was preparing for months to defend his belt against Arman Tsarukyan in the main

Moicano gets a big opportunity, but White said Makhachev was without hesitation when the news was presented to him. “When we called Islam Makhachev, he said, ‘Brother, I am the champion. I fight anybody,