Makhachev Submits Moicano After Late Change
Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from his scheduled lightweight title rematch with Islam Makhachev before the January 2025 event. Renato Moicano stepped in to face the champion on January 18. The official announcement named Moicano as the replacement.
Makhachev retained the title
Makhachev submitted Moicano with a D’Arce choke at 4:05 of the first round at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The official event results record the finish.
Tsarukyan returned against Dan Hooker
Tsarukyan returned to competition against Dan Hooker in Doha, Qatar, on November 22, 2025. He won by arm-triangle choke at 3:34 of round two. The official event results list the submission.
Why the scheduled rematch drew attention
Makhachev and Tsarukyan had first met in Saint Petersburg in 2019, when Tsarukyan made his UFC debut. Makhachev won by unanimous decision. Their planned UFC 311 bout would have revisited that matchup after both men had gained years of additional experience and Makhachev had become lightweight champion.
Tsarukyan’s route toward the title opportunity included a first-round finish of Beneil Dariush in December 2023 and a split-decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. The official UFC 300 scorecards record two 29–28 totals for Tsarukyan and one for Oliveira.
Two separate outcomes in 2025
The cancellation meant UFC 311 did not add a second result to the Makhachev–Tsarukyan series. Makhachev instead completed a title defense against Moicano, while Tsarukyan’s later Hooker bout supplied his own return to competition.
Keeping those contests distinct is essential to following the year’s lightweight story. The planned rematch explains the buildup, the Moicano submission records the January main event, and the Qatar victory documents Tsarukyan’s subsequent competitive appearance.
