UFC 311 -- Previewing all 14 fights on Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2 card - ESPN

The UFC's plan was to make a strong first impression in 2025 by putting its best foot forward. The year's pay-per-view schedule would begin this weekend with a two-title-fight card headlined by MMA's best fighter.

So much for the best laid plans.

Islam Makhachev, No. 1 in the ESPN pound-for-pound rankings, will still defend his lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV). But instead of fighting a rematch with his division's top contender, Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev (26-1) will instead face a late replacement, Renato Moicano, after Tsarukyan injured his back on Thursday night.

This is a significant downgrade in challenge for Makhachev, who has won 14 fights in a row and is the longest-reigning current champion in the UFC. Tsarukyan, on a 9-1 run since a unanimous decision loss to Makhachev in his UFC debut in 2019, is No. 2 in the ESPN lightweight rankings, right behind Makhachev. Moicano (20-5-1) is way down at No. 7.

Makhachev already was a betting favorite to retain his crown, but by Friday afternoon his odds had ballooned to 13-to-1 per ESPN BET.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev puts his title on the line against Renato Moicano in the main event, while bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event.

Buy UFC 311 on ESPN+ PPV

UFC 311: Makhachev-Moicano
Sat., Jan. 18, Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV
• Prelims: 8 p.m. on ESPNEWS/FX/Disney+/ESPN+
• Early Prelims: 6 p.m. on FX/Disney+/ESPN+

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