Headlining UFC’s first big event of the year was a hot ticket to say the least, which is why a collection of UFC superstars tried filling in for an injured Arman Tsarukyan later tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) at UFC 311 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
Tonight’s PPV event from L.A. will be led by a lightweight title fight between reigning UFC champion Islam Makhachev and fan favorite Renato Moicano, but that wasn’t the case just 24 hours ago. Makhachev was originally scheduled to meet Tsarukyan in an anticipated rematch atop the main card, but Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw early Friday due to back issues.
UFC matchmakers eventually turned to Moicano — who was already competing on the PPV undercard against fellow lightweight veteran Beneil Dariush — to fill the void. However, “Money” wasn’t the only well-known fighter willing to fight Makhachev on short notice. In fact, a collection of former UFC champions and top contenders tried scoring a shot at the UFC lightweight crown.
Check them out below and let us know if any of these other fighters would have made a better choice than Moicano:
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski — who already has two losses at the hands of Makhachev — wondered why UFC matchmakers didn’t call him.
Why didn’t you call me??
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 17, 2025
“Why didn’t you call me??”
Another featherweight, Diego Lopes, revealed that he tried to step up on short notice to get his first-ever UFC title shot. Things just didn’t work out.
Diego Lopes reveals that he tried to step in and fight Islam Makhachev on short notice, but “it couldn’t be done”
“There is only one life and it is made to take advantage of opportunities.”#UFC311 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/cBzBvNLa6B
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 17, 2025
“We tried, but it couldn’t be done. Remember, there is only one life and it is made to take advantage of opportunities.”
Lightweight contender Michael Chandler also took to social media to throw his name in the mix.
“Here am I, send me…”
Even former UFC champion Charles Oliveira — who lost his title to Makhachev via submission back at UFC 280 — teased fight fans with a video from the sauna. Check it out below:
Despite losing to Makhachev at UFC 302 last June, perennial lightweight contender Dustin Poirier was willing to take a rematch at a catchweight.
“Hit me up @UFC.”
The news of Tsarukyan’s withdrawal was such a big deal that even fighters not currently signed to UFC tried stepping in. Our good old friend, Dillon Danis, tried settling his long-standing beef with Makhachev and his team.
Perfect time to settle everything. I’ll fly to LA tomorrow and fight @MAKHACHEVMMA no problem. I submit the inbred inside one round and send him back to his brother-and-sister parents. @moicanoufc is literally absolute garbage. This can’t be considered a title fight, and no one…
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) January 17, 2025
“Perfect time to settle everything. I’ll fly to LA tomorrow and fight @MAKHACHEVMMA no problem. I submit the inbred inside one round and send him back to his brother-and-sister parents. @moicanoufc is literally absolute garbage. This can’t be considered a title fight, and no one wants to see it. Let’s make it happen. I’m ready.”
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 311 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early Disney+/FX/ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining four-fight undercard balance on Disney+/ESPNN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 311 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 311: “Makhachev vs. Moicano” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 311 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
