Renato Moicano has expressed frustration with Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from Islam Makhachev’s title battle at UFC 311, inflicting a cascading disruption all through the light-weight division. The Brazilian fighter, who challenged Makhachev on 24-hour discover, expressed concern that Tsarukyan’s again harm whereas getting ready to chop weight the night time earlier than the January 2025 bout set off a series of occasions that left the 155-pound division in limbo.
Renato Moicano blames Tsarukyan for light-weight collapse
In an interview with “Stand Up” Emiel Sardaryan, Moicano stated he doesn’t imagine the present course will pretty serve the division. “I do not assume that is truthful. Who did he beat within the weight class? Once I fought Makhachev, Armand was speculated to battle for the title, however he tousled the burden class. If Armand fought that night time, the burden class would proceed, however now Topria is divorced. He did not need to battle as a result of they’ve Gaethje vs. Pimblett. To me, this is able to be the paper champion, as a result of it would not make sense to have an interim belt.” Both manner, Topria could be the champion. ”
After the UFC 311 occasion, the light-weight division entered a interval of transition. Makhachev finally vacated the welterweight title and confronted Jacques Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025. This opens the door for Ilia Topria, who moved up from featherweight to compete for the vacant title in opposition to Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025. Topria received the title with a first-round knockout, changing into the tenth fighter in UFC historical past to carry the title over two tournaments. Division.
Nonetheless, Topria introduced in late November 2025 that she wouldn’t compete within the first quarter of 2026, citing private points relating to her youngsters and her ongoing divorce. In an effort to stop the division from stalling, the UFC has scheduled an interim light-weight title battle between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on January 24, 2026.
The choice to create a working title precipitated appreciable debate. High light-weight contender Arman Tsarukyan, who defeated Dan Hooker in November 2025, was anticipated to get an interim title shot. As a substitute, the UFC chosen Gaethje, who’s ranked No. 4 with one win since dropping to Max Holloway, and Pimblett, who’s ranked No. 5 with no wins in opposition to top-10 opponents.
Mr. Tsarukyan remained calm, however expressed shock at being bypassed. “Nothing modifications. We take what’s ours. All the pieces will occur in due time. Persistence and laborious work will likely be rewarded,” he wrote on social media.
Had Tsarukyan confronted Makhachev at UFC 311, the division would have had a transparent champion/challenger line. As a substitute, the harm led to a collection of title vacancies, promotion modifications, and the creation of an interim belt, leaving the division in what Moicano characterised as an unjust state. The 35-year-old Brazilian’s views on the legitimacy of the interim title add to the continued dialog about how the UFC finest manages its weight class in the course of the absence of a champion.
