"He's a dangerous guy" - Islam Makhachev issues final verdict on Renato Moicano title clash at UFC 311, says Brazilian must be "grateful"

Islam Makhachev is all set to face Renato Moicano in a major last-minute card reshuffle in the wake of Arman Tsarukyan's injury withdrawal from UFC 311. Makhachev, who's the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has notably issued his final verdict for the Moicano matchup and asserted that the latter ought to be grateful to him.

Makhachev's first encounter against archrival Tsarukyan transpired in April 2019. The non-title lightweight match ended with the Dagestani fighter defeating Tsarukyan via unanimous decision. Coming to 2025, they were booked to clash in a second encounter, this time with Makhachev's UFC lightweight championship at stake. The Makhachev-Tsarukyan rematch was to headline UFC 311.

Nevertheless, Dana White announced Arman Tsarukyan's withdrawal one day prior to the UFC 311 event. The UFC CEO and president suggested that a back injury caused Tsarukyan's pull-out. Resultantly, Brazil's Renato Moicano, who was booked to face Beneil Dariush in a non-title bout at UFC 311, was brought in to fight Makhachev in the card's headliner.

ESPN MMA's Megan Olivi asked Islam Makhachev about how familiar he was with Renato Moicano, his recent performances, and the threats he poses. Himself on a 14-fight win streak, he alluded to Renato Moicano's current four-fight win streak.

Indicating that he'll study some of 'Money's' previous fights, he labeled the Brazilian as dangerous but predictable. Makhachev also implied the challenger should be grateful for the title shot:

"Moicano, he's a dangerous guy. He did well in his couple of his last fights. He is still dangerous. I respect him because he take this fight. And he have to be grateful because I give him the opportunity to fight for the title...But I saw his couple of fight, of course, but we have to sit with the team and watch his fight again. Because he is very predictable.

"I know his game. He good in the ground. He take the back. But even myself, I never give my back in UFC to someone. Because I don't want to give him any chance. But respect. We make this happen for all this crowd. I couldn't leave this arena without the fight," he added.

Watch Islam Makhachev's assessment below:

Watch the interview below (*Makhachev's comments about Moicano at 1:12):

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Islam Makhachev recalls learning about Renato Moicano replacing Arman Tsarukyan as his UFC 311 opponent

Elsewhere during his conversation with Megan Olivi, Islam Makhachev was questioned about when he found out that Renato Moicano would be replacing Arman Tsarukyan and clashing against him for the lightweight championship. Makhachev responded by recounting that he found out after his official weigh-in.

The Dagestani combat sports stalwart is managed by Dominance MMA Management's Rizvan Magomedov. The management firm was founded and is helmed by Ali Abdelaziz. Signaling that he learned about the title fight change from Abdelaziz, Makhachev said:

"After the official weigh-in, I go to my room, eat something, drink something. And Ali come to me with some news." [*Makhachev's comments at the interview's 0:10-minute mark]

Islam Makhachev seemed to deem it as a "crazy" change but underscored that he's happy to still be able to compete on the card. The updated fight card features Makhachev defending his UFC lightweight championship against Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, U.S.A. on Jan. 18, 2025.