Coach Javier Mendez called Poirier Makhachev’s toughest fight to date. Nurmagomedov thinks Makhachev can only grow from a back-and-forth battle such as that, which was a nominee for the 2024 Fight of the Year.

An injured Arman Tsarukyan has been replaced in the main event of UFC 311, with Renato Moicano now challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title – on one day’s notice.

Lopes is the number three-ranked featherweight in the world, but has only made one appearance up the weights in short notice catchweight bout against Dan Ige. Meanwhile Poirier was the last man to challenge Makhachev at UFC 301 last summer, losing by submission in the fifth round.

Standing out in the UFC's lightweight division is a tall order. It's the sport's deepest and most star-studded talent pool. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are among the high-profile fighters who have fought in the division and for the title in the last seven years.

SportsLine's Daniel Vithlani reveals his picks for the UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2 fight card from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on Saturday

UFC head honcho, Dana White, has revealed exactly what Islam Makhachev said to him down the phone after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Arman Tsarukyan being replaced by Renato Moicano to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 311

Arman Tsarukyan's nearly six-year journey to the UFC lightweight title will take a little longer. Tsarukyan suffered an injury two nights before challenging lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.

As far as a possible trilogy with Arman Tsarukyan is concerned, you can count Islam Makhachev out. Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) will put his lightweight championship on the line in a rematch with Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA,

With UFC 311 set for tonight, here are the best sports betting sites and sportsbook promos for the MMA card from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California: UFC 311 is headlined by Islam Makhachev vs.

UFC 311 continues with the UFC lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Check out our UFC odds series for our Makhachev-Tsarukyan prediction.