INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Islam Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a first-round submission against Renato Moicano on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome.
After being dropped briefly by a right hand in the round, Makhachev (27-1) put Moicano on his back. As the challenger scrambled, Makhachev snatched a D'Arce choke and swiftly tightened the grip. With nowhere to go, Moicano was forced to tap out at the 4:05 mark.
Moicano (20-6-1) — who was originally slated to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 — was pushed into the world title opportunity on a day's notice when Arman Tsarukyan was forced on due to a back injury suffered on Tursday evening during his weight cut.
It was not an unfamiliar situation for Makhachev, who fought Alexander Volkanovski on 11 days' notice after Charles Oliveira pulled out of UFC 294 with an injury. The same could be said for Moicano, who lost to Rafael dos Anjos on four days' notice at a catchweight of 160 pounds in 2022.
Moicano was installed as an understandably massive betting underdog against Makhachev, and the champion proved why he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
«I'm not just talk,» said Makhachev of his quick victory. «If my opponent gives me small shots, I will close the night.»
Fighting out of Dagestan, Makhachev's dominance has secured Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagles MMA as one of the top gyms in the sport.
Unfortunately, Team Khabib was able to bring back only one world title as Umar Nurmagomedov fell short in his attempt to win UFC gold against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event. Still, the gym has another world champion in Usman Nurmagomedov, who defends his Bellator lightweight title next weekend against Paul Hughes.
As it stands, the
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