"Honestly, I knew this" - Khabib Nurmagomedov shares unfiltered reaction to Renato Moicano replacing Arman Tsarukyan in UFC 311 main event

Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his reaction to the sudden shake-up in the UFC 311 main event that paved the way for Renato Moicano to lock horns with Islam Makhachev. Originally slated to corner Makhachev in a lightweight title defense against Arman Tsarukyan, Nurmagomedov revealed he was informed late at night about the Armenian's withdrawal due to a back injury sustained during weight cut. The former UFC lightweight champion empathised with Tsarukyan, relating the incident to past struggles with similar challenges.

Renato Moicano, who's ranked No.10 in the division, steps in as a late replacement to face Makhachev. Moicano, initially set to fight Beneil Dariush on the same card, now finds himself in a career-defining opportunity. Nurmagomedov acknowledged Moicano's vast UFC experience and current four-fight win streak, claiming that the Dagestani team would not underestimate the Brazilian.

Speaking backstage about the whole situation at the UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-ins, Nurmagomedov said:

“Honestly, I knew this yesterday, at 1 A.M. before I sleep. Honestly, this can happen with anybody. If you guys remember [in] 2017, March, it happened with me too. Then after that, I go to hospital, make surgery, come back and I tell UFC, ‘It was my mistake, give me other best guy. I’m going to beat this guy and deserve my title shot.’ It was the same thing with me. I just want to wish him all the best. He’s young. He’s tough. He can come back. He [has] to survive this situation and come back.”

Nurmagomedov added:

“Now, new main event. I think with Moicano, he has very big experience in the UFC... 10, 11 years in UFC. He [has four-fight] win streak, and he’s on his prime. It’s a good fight. Of course, it’s not like Arman and Islam, but it’s still very competitive fight, and we [are] not going to underestimate this guy.”

Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov's comments below:

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Renato Moicano is ready to "shock the world" against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311

Renato Moicano steps into the spotlight as he replaces Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 main event against Islam Makhachev.

Fresh off a stoppage win over Benoit Saint Denis in September, the Brazilian seized the opportunity, having trained for five rounds in anticipation of a potential shift. While Makhachev, a heavy favorite, aims for his fourth title defense, Moicano enters as a significant underdog with a determination to make history.

Speaking about the clash in a fight preview segment for the UFC, Moicano said:

"Money’ Moicano is coming for the belt, be ready Islam Makhachev. Tomorrow night is money time. Man, I’m so happy that I’ve gotten this opportunity. I’ve been working for this for a long time, and I knew it could happen. That’s why I was training five rounds, that I was training with a southpaw. I’m ready. Tomorrow night, I’m going to shock the world. Be ready, because I am. This is ‘Money’ Moicano, and tomorrow I will be the champion of the world. Let’s f*cking go, let’s f*cking go. Time to go.”

Check out Renato Moicano's comments below: