Renato Moicano couldn’t be any happier right about now.
The UFC lightweight veteran weighed in Friday morning for a UFC 311 main card bout against Beneil Dariush, but he ended up getting upgraded to the main event to challenge Islam Makhachev for his undisputed belt. Makhachev’s original opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, withdrew due to a back injury, setting up the last-minute change.
What ends up being a loss for Tsarukyan is a big win for Moicano.
“‘Money’ Moicano is coming for the belt. Be ready, Islam Makhachev,” Moicano said in a video posted by the UFC. “Tomorrow is ‘Money’ time. I’m so happy that I got this opportunity. I have been working for this for a long time, and I knew that could happen. That’s why I was training five rounds. That’s why I was training with a southpaw. I’m ready, and tomorrow I’m going to shock the world. Be ready because I am. This is ‘Money’ Moicano, and tomorrow I’m going to become champion of the world. Let’s f*cking go.”
READY FOR HIS SHOT 😤@MoicanoUFC is ready to fight for the LW title!! #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/P5kYXiaPU0
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2025
Moicano (20-5-1 MMA, 12-5 UFC) enters UFC 311 on a four-fight wining streak at lightweight. He did lose to former champion Rafael dos Anjos in 2022, but that was a short notice fight contested at a catchweight of 160 pounds.
Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) is also on a run of his own. The Dagestan fighter has defended his belt three times and is currently on a 14-fight win streak.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
