'Tougher fight'… Demetrious Johnson shares his prediction for new UFC 311 main event
01/18/2025 05:37 AM
After a whirlwind this past Friday, UFC legend Demetrious Johnson believes the new UFC 311 main event is a better fight than the originally scheduled fight.
Since the UFC 311 main event between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan was announced, fans have been salivating at the prospect of an extremely high-level fight.
Despite that, this past Friday prior to the official weigh-ins, it was announced that Tsarukyan is out of the fight due to a back injury.
With that, UFC boss Dana White announced that fan favorite, Renato Moicano is stepping into the main event to take on Makhachev as he was already on the card fighting Beneil Dariush.
READ MORE:Arman Tsarukyan breaks silence after stunning UFC 311 main event withdrawal
Demetrious Johnson shares prediction for Makhachev vs Moicano
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan was widely touted as one of the most high-level title fights in UFC history considering both fighters’ skill sets.
Although ‘Money’ Moicano is only ranked 10th in the 155lb rankings, he is currently riding an impressive four-fight win streak with his last win coming against Benoit Saint-Denis.
Despite the wide anticipation for the original main event, UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has claimed the new main event is a tougher fight for the current champion, Makhachev.
“At first I was like, ‘Man, who can make this fight even better?’… It was the only person that I felt could step up and save this fight, Renato Moicano,” Johnson claimed on his YouTube channel.
“A lot of people out there (think) this card is worse (with the change), I don’t think it is, I think it’s a better fight, here’s a reason why. You look what ‘Money’ Moicano has done recently, he is on a tear because the man can’t afford to lose.
“And I think it’s a tougher fight for Islam Makhachev. The reason why is because, one you have to do it within 24 hours… I feel Moicano is way more dangerous than Arman, just because he’s not gonna rely on the wrestling, he’s gonna throw knees he’s gonna throw combinations and he’s a f****** dog,” he continued.
Even though ‘Mightymouse’ believes this is a better main event than the original, he is still picking the Russian to retain his title at UFC 311.
“I’m still gonna stick with Islam Makhachev just because I believe he can fight anyone… Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world,” Johnson predicted.
Arman Tsarukyan’s coach explains the extent of his injury
Fans have questioned how ‘Ahalkalakets’ suffered a serious injury just a day prior to the biggest fight of his career thus far, especially considering the tremendous shape Tsarukyan is in.
According to Tsarukyan’s coach, the 28-year-old began suffering back spasms last Tuesday and after taking a few days off training, he seemed fine.
However, when he began cutting weight this week, the pain apparently got worse to the extent he couldn’t even stand or sit up.
