Makhachev was set to defend his title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, while Moicano was to face Beneil Dariush. However, everything changed at the official morning weigh-ins when Tsarukyan withdrew from his title opportunity due to a back injury.

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.

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 with a back issue.

The first major UFC event of 2025 takes place this weekend as the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles hosts UFC 311 (3am Sunday, TNT Sports 1). And two title fights headline an intriguing card in LA, with Merab Dvalishvili taking on Umar Nurmagomedov for the bantamweight title before Islam Makhachev faces Arman Tsarukyan in the main event for the lightweight belt.

The fate of the bantamweight division will be put to the test as champion Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Umar Nurmagomedov clash at UFC 311. The post AI Predicts if Umar Nurmagomedov Can Beat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Tomorrow night in the co-main event of UFC 311, the bantamweight title is on the line. The two most dominant forces in the bantamweight division will clash as the champion Merab Dvalishvili (18-4) takes on his toughest test in the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0).