White Reacts to Makhachev’s UFC 311 Win
At UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, Islam Makhachev retained the lightweight title by submitting Renato Moicano in the first round at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Moicano replaced Arman Tsarukyan after Tsarukyan withdrew with an injury. After the event, UFC CEO Dana White said Makhachev had moved ahead of Jon Jones as his No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
White changes his pound-for-pound pick
White had previously favored Jones in the pound-for-pound debate. Following Makhachev’s win, White acknowledged the lightweight champion as the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter. The comments came during the post-fight media session; MMA Fighting reported White’s change in ranking, and the UFC published the Dana White post-fight press conference.
Makhachev submits short-notice replacement
Moicano stepped in after Tsarukyan withdrew from the scheduled rematch. Makhachev finished him with a first-round submission to make another successful lightweight title defense. The official UFC 311 results recap the fight, while the UFC’s opponent-change announcement documents Moicano’s late replacement.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: Dana White concedes Makhachev is No. 1 pound-for-pound
- UFC: UFC 311 main-card results
- UFC: Moicano replaces Tsarukyan at UFC 311
- UFC: Dana White post-fight press conference
