INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Islam Makhachev retained his lightweight title with a first-round submission against Renato Moicano on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome.
After being dropped briefly by a right hand in the round, Makhachev (27-1) put Moicano on his back. As the challenger scrambled, Makhachev snatched a D'Arce choke and swiftly tightened the grip. With nowhere to go, Moicano was forced to tap out at the 4:05 mark.
Moicano (20-6-1) -- who was originally slated to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 -- was pushed into the world title opportunity on a day's notice when Arman Tsarukyan was forced on due to a back injury suffered on Thursday evening during his weight cut.