INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Plenty of fighters like to say they will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev actually did it.
Under less-than-ideal circumstances, Makhachev retained his title after submitting Renato Moicano in the first round of the UFC 311 main event Saturday night at Intuit Dome. Makhachev originally was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch until Tsarukyan withdrew on weigh-ins day, opening the door for Moicano.
The fact that Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) took the fight without question swayed UFC CEO Dana White to declare the champ his No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, as well as the greatest lightweight of all time.
