UFC 311: Tsarukyan out, Moicano gets title shot

LOS ANGELES -- The UFC's first pay-per-view event of 2025 underwent a major change Friday, as lightweight title challenger Arman Tsarukyan was forced out of Saturday's UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood with a back injury.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1) will now defend his title against Renato Moicano (22-3), who was scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush on the card. UFC CEO Dana White announced the change Friday morning during the official weigh-ins.

"[Tsarukyan] informed us that he was experiencing significant back pain," White said. "Due to the injury, he feels like he is not healthy enough to compete. Stepping in to face him is Renato Moicano."

Tsarukyan, 28, was on pace to make weight but suffered the back injury.

"I regret to inform everyone that the news is that I had to pull out of UFC 311 with a back injury is true," Tsarukyan said. "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."

Makhachev, who is seeking the fourth defense of his 155-pound championship, told ESPN in a statement he didn't mind the last-minute change.

"Champions do not choose opponents," Makhachev said. "As long as there's someone who can make 155, I'll fight anyone."

Moicano (20-5-1) is on a four-fight winning streak and ranked No. 10 in the division. He is coming off a second-round stoppage of Benoit Saint-Denis in September.

Dariush said on his Instagram account that he is off Saturday's card.