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.

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 President Dana White announced Friday that Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Saturday

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.

Arman Tsarukyan ruled out of UFC 311 due to injury, as confirmed by the company president during a live broadcast. Renato Moicano will step in to face Islam Makhachev.

UFC 311 in Los Angeles was supposed to be headlined by Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, but unfortunately, there was a last-minute change. On Friday,

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.

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.

Lopes is the number three-ranked featherweight in the world, but has only made one appearance up the weights in short notice catchweight bout against Dan Ige. Meanwhile Poirier was the last man to challenge Makhachev at UFC 301 last summer, losing by submission in the fifth round.