After a hectic UFC 311 weigh-ins, it's now official that the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first pay-per-view of the year has a new main event.
Now headlining the 13-fight card is a fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato "Money" Moicano for the lightweight championship. This comes after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from a championship rematch at the last minute due to a back injury. Meanwhile, the co-main event will see Merab Dvalishvili look to make his first title defense against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.
Makhachev (26-1) prepared during his camp for Tsarukyan, who he defeated the Octagon in 2019. Since his unanimous decision victory, the Dagestani fighter has claimed the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira and defended it three times--twice against Alexander Volkanovski and once versus Dustin Poirier. Makhachev enters the fight weighing 154.5 pounds and on a 14-fight win streak.
Meanwhile, this marks the biggest fight in the career of Moicano (20-5-1). The outspoken lightweight has become a fan favorite and is on an impressive four-fight win streak that includes wins over Drew Dober and Benoit St. Denis. The Brazilian is getting his first shot at championship gold at 35 years old. "Money Moicano" stepped on the scale at 155 pounds on the dot.
The UFC 311 main card will air live on ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday. Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass before continuing on ESPNews and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Islam Makhachev (154.5) vs. Renato Carneiro (155)
Merab Dvalishvili (134) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (135)
Jamahal Hill (204.5) vs. Jiri Prochazka (204.5)
Jailton Almeida (235) vs. Serghei Spivac (233)
Kevin Holland (183.5) vs. Reinier de Ridder (184.5)
Raoni Barcelos (135.5) vs. Payton Talbott (135.5)
Billy Elekana (200) vs. Bogdan Guskov (205.5)
Grant Dawson (156) vs. Diego Ferreira (156)
Azamat Bekoev (185.5) vs. Zachary Reese (185.5)
Ailin Perez (135) vs. Karol Rosa (135.5)
Muin Gafurov (136) vs. Rinya Nakamura (135.5)
Bernardo Sopaj (135) vs. Ricky Turcios (136)
Clayton Carpenter (125.5) vs. Tagir Ulanbekov (125.5)
Beneil Dariush (155)*
* Dariush originally planned on facing Carneiro.