Tsarukyan’s UFC 311 Title Shot Ends Before Fight Night
Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from his scheduled UFC 311 title fight with Islam Makhachev because of back issues. Renato Moicano stepped in on short notice, and Makhachev submitted him in Round 1.
In December 2024, Arman Tsarukyan looked positioned for a second meeting with Islam Makhachev and a shot at the UFC lightweight championship. Tsarukyan had earned that opportunity with a split-decision win over former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. The official scorecards were 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 for Tsarukyan. UFC 300 results and scorecards.
The UFC 311 title fight fell through
The UFC booked Tsarukyan to challenge Makhachev at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025. On January 17, the promotion announced that Tsarukyan had been removed from the bout because of back issues; Renato Moicano replaced him. Makhachev then submitted Moicano in the first round. UFC’s UFC 311 replacement announcement.
Tsarukyan rebuilt his case
Tsarukyan returned to the Octagon in November 2025 and defeated Dan Hooker by second-round arm-triangle choke in the UFC Qatar main event. In September 2026, he faced Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 and won by first-round knockout at 4:56, earning a performance bonus. These wins strengthened his title credentials, though a new title bout has not been announced in the sources cited here. UFC Qatar results; UFC 331 official scorecards; UFC 331 performance bonuses.
Tsarukyan’s first meeting with Makhachev was in April 2019, when Makhachev won by unanimous decision. Their planned UFC 311 rematch never happened. Tsarukyan has made a strong argument for another title opportunity, but the outcome of that pursuit remains to be seen. UFC athlete record and bout history.
