Islam Makhachev On His UFC 311 Opponent: UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev claims that he is neither worried nor bothered about Arman Tsarukyan pulling out of their main event of UFC 311 and being replaced by the No. 10 contender in the division, Renato Moicano.
Tsarukyan pulled out of the championship match due to what appears to be a back injury. Over the past couple of years, Arman has been climbing the ranks in the lightweight division. But it was his last two fight wins, against Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliviera, that propelled him to the top of the contenders’ list.
But now, only a day or so before his UFC 311 main event against Islam, the challenger pulled out due to a back injury. He did not even make it to the weigh-ins. It is said that he was on course to gain weight but experienced severe back pain and thus withdrew from the fight.
Check Out: Islam Makhachev On His UFC 311 Opponent
In a statement on social media, Tsrukyan expressed his sorrow and disappointment, saying,
“I regret to inform everyone that the news is true, and I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury. This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my fighting career. I would like to thank the UFC for understanding, and I look forward to competing for my first UFC championship in the future. Thank you all for your support.”
Now, Renato Moicano has stepped in as a last-minute replacement. The Brazilian fighter was supposed to take on Dariush on the undercard but will now be getting a shot at the lightweight title.
Islam Makhachev On His UFC 311 Opponent
But what does the champ have to say about this? In a recent interview with ESPN after making weight on his own, Makhachev was asked about when he found out that Arman had pulled out of the fight, to which he had this to say:
“After the official weigh-in. I go to my room, eat something, drink something, and Ali (Abdelaziz) comes to me with some news. You know, it was crazy but happy that I’m still fighting; that’s it. No, it doesn’t matter who it’s gonna be, but I’m gonna fight.”
The champion was then asked about his new challenger, Renato Moicano. About him, Islam said that he respects the Brazilian but feels he is predictable.
“He’s a dangerous guy. He did well in a couple of his last fights. You know he’s still dangerous. I respect him because he took this fight, and he has to be grateful because I gave him the opportunity to fight for the title… I saw a couple of his fights, of course, but we have to sit with the team and watch his fights again, you know? Because he’s very predictable, I know his game, you know? He’s good in the ground; he takes the back. But even myself, I never give my back in UFC, you know, so someone because I don’t want to give him any chance,” he said.
UFC 311 will take place in the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time on January 18. Which translates to 6:30 am on January 19 in Indian Standard Time. While this is the start time of the prelim card, the main card will kick off two hours later.
Check Out: Islam Makhachev On His UFC 311 Opponent
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