Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan 2 if off due to the Armenian fighter’s back injury, as announced by Dana White. Renato Moicano will replace Tsarukyan for the lightweight title match. Former UFC Champion, Demetrious Johnson, was quick to post a video about the update on his Youtube channel. He answered multiple questions that would likely come out from the MMA community.
As soon as the announcement came in, many MMA analysts and fans questioned why the fight was not rescheduled. Some even wondered as there was no backup fighter for the now scrapped UFC 311 main event. DJ, via his Youtube channel, “Mighty“, explained about the physically and emotionally draining training sessions as one of the reason.
The Mighty Mouse stated that with severity of the injury unknown it’s difficult to shift the fight for another date. He mentioned how Makhachev has been training for eight weeks by staying away from his family and country. As per the MMA legend, it’s difficult to wait for another few weeks and go through the same process again.
DJ while answering the rescheduling problems stated:
“One: We don’t know the extent of the injury. Islam has been in the camp for 8 weeks and thing he wants to do is stay here away from his [family], farm. I am sure he is excited to fight and get back home.” (6:20 – 6:37)
Johnson further broke down that there was no option for the Dagestani to wait two more weeks. DJ stated that he would have done the same thing had he been in Makhachev’s place.
“For him to sit around and wait for two more weeks, I don’t thinknit was an option. I would do the exact same thing if I travelled from my country to another.” (6:38 – 6:47)
Check out the video below:
The former UFC flyweight champion further analysed the issues related to having a backup fighter. He also showed his excitement for the new title challenger Renato Moicano.
Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan 2: Renato Moicano will fight for the lightweight title
In the same video, Johnson unfolded the news and described how Moicano makes the title match even better. According to DJ, Moicano has been on a roll in his last fights and “Money” is a well rounded fighter. He also mentioned how there are just 24 hours to adjust to the new challenger.
“I think it’s a better fight. You look at what Money Moicano has done recently. He is on a terror because the man can’t afford to lose. I think it’s a tougher fight. You got to do it within 24 hours. Moicano is not going to just rely on wrestling. (1:18 to 2:06)
Johnson touched the topic related to backup fighter and throw light on the difficulty in appointing one. The retired MMA legend mentioned that you can’t always have a backup fighter as it comes with a cost. He decoded how the backup fighter has to train for eight weeks and depending on his outside life, it adds to the difficulty.
” You can’t always have a backup fighter and it also costs money. You put that peraon out eight weeks and depending on what he has got going in his life, it’sjuat that you can’thave it every single time.”(3:15 to 3:30)
Check out Dana White’s video below:
Renaco Moicano was set to face Beneil Dariush on the same fight card. Due to the change of events, Darius has been left out of the card. Waith all that said, all eyes are now on the new main event for the night. Stay tuned for the UFC 311 match card.
Sachin Singh 
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