The news is out, Arman Tsarukyan won’t be fighting. Stepping into his shoes is Renato Moicano, keeping the UFC lightweight title in play at UFC 311 in Inglewood, California, on Saturday night. The initial lineup has undergone a major transformation. Such is the unpredictable nature of this sport, where even the path to the fight can become an exciting ride. The ripple effects of a single participant’s injury extend beyond the individual, reaching the entire UFC 311 fight card.
For some, this turmoil can lead towards serendipity, while for others it can spell disaster. Nevertheless, the impact varies from person to person: some win, some lose, and some remain unscathed amidst the chaos. Prominent winner in this episode: Renato Moicano. His original plan was to face Beneil Dariush on the undercard, an opportunity with potential for growth but distant from a title shot.
Then came the moment when Tsarukyan backed out, and the telephonic call brought Moicano an opportunity he could not turn down. Who would say no to a title shot at this juncture of his career? This does increase his challenges, however. A shift from Dariush to the world-class lightweight, coupled with training for a three-round fight only to face a five-rounder – the equation does seem skewed against him.
If Moicano fails, his lightweight winning streak would come to an end, undermining hopes for another UFC title shot. But let’s not forget, Moicano is now 35. The lower weight divisions are infamous for not treating competitors aged over this limit too kindly. Even if it seems like a stretch, for him it’s still a chance. It’s a risk he must take and hope for the best outcome.
The greatest loser: Arman Tsarukyan. His path to the title shot had nothing to do with charm; he earned it through numerous victories. Despite this, he remained the least captivating and talked about fighter on the UFC 311 fight card. By pulling out, he may have upset the UFC bosses, and there’s no clamour for his return for the next title shot, so it’s uncertain whether such an opportunity will recur.
It’s a harsh blow for a deserving contender: Tsarukyan now has put in a costly fight camp, and he walks home not only without a shot at the belt but also without any assurance of being compensated for his efforts.
Beneil Dariush emerges as the second-biggest loser. He did nothing wrong but his bout being canceled due to Moicano’s elevation to the main event left him unpaired for Saturday night’s fight. The disappointment is profound for numerous reasons: rigorous training, timed peaking for the fight, and preparing for a specific date announced on pay-per-view, all leading to an indefinite postponement.
The way the events unfolded gives him a clear message of his standing within the UFC. With Tsarukyan out, Dariush’s phone was not the first to ring – which must feel quite disappointing.
Unphased through this whole shakeup: Islam Makhachev. Although defeating a last-minute substitute doesn’t hold the same esteem as overcoming the top contender, there’s still the remote possibility of Moicano pulling off an incredible upset.
Should that occur, nobody will want to listen to the sport’s premier pound-for-pound fighter gripe about adapting to an unexpected opponent. However, he’s anticipated to comfortably win this fight. The minor details of this specific situation will probably blur with time, getting lost in the broader narrative.
Looking back, people will remember how a challenger stepped up to vie for the vacant title and, unsurprisingly, secured the win. The eventual achievement of an exceptional lightweight champion status will overshadow this backdrop of uncertainty. A seasoned fighter like Makhachev effortlessly adapts to different adversaries while consistently demonstrating his skills.
One can almost visualize his likely response on receiving the news, probably in his hotel room – stoic, unbothered by the altered game plan. So now it’s against Moicano? Fine, so be it. Such is the landscape of this unpredictable sport.