For the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC 311 Fight Week started in unfortunate circumstances and hasn’t got much easier thanks to a rather chaotic final 24 hours.
After the former UFC champion was controversially kicked off a domestic flight, ‘The Eagle’ has found himself in charge of preparing Islam Makhachev for a new title challenger.
Makhachev is now set to face ‘Money’ Moicano, following Arman Tsarukyan’s withdrawal with a back injury, with coach Khabib sending one final message to his pupils set to compete later this evening.
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends final message to his UFC 311 superstars
Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov has three teammates competing in tonight’s UFC Pay-Per-View; including the very first fight of the early prelims, as well as the two title fights topping the bill.
Tagir Ulanbekov kicks off the night in a flyweight bout against Clayton Carpenter, before Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev fight for bantamweight and lightweight gold in the main and co-main events respectively.
“Hard work ahead tomorrow, these brothers I grew up with and have been by my side all my life,” wrote the elder Khabib Nurmagomedov on Instagram after news of Tsarukyan’s injury hit the airwaves.
“They are also a big reason for my success in sports and my love for them for the sake of Allah is limitless.
“I will give everything I have – the main thing is that everything is good for them (not only in this life).”
Khabib will be hoping for a clean 3-0 sweep, and the legendary former fighter certainly has the momentum on his side with all three of his UFC 311 teammates being moderate-to-heavy betting favorites.
“May Allah protect you brothers wherever you are and help you in everything,” continued Khabib’s final message, before reaffirming that “I will be there for you InshaAllah.”
Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to last-minute title fight change
Less than 24 hours before the first UFC PPV of 2025, Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from the lightweight title fight with popular Brazilian Renato ‘Money’ Moicano stepping in as a late-notice replacement.
Reacting to the last-minute change, Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a heartfelt message of support to Tsarukyan, acknowledging that he himself had experienced a similar situation before eventually claiming UFC gold.
“Honestly it can happen with anybody. In March 2017, it happened with me too. Then after that I went to the hospital, had surgery, came back and I told the UFC ‘It was my mistake, give me another guy, I’m going to beat this guy and deserve my title shot’.
“It was the same with me. I just want to wish him all the best. He’s young, tough, he can come back. He’ll have to survive this situation and come back.”
According to the Armenian’s coach, Tsarukyan began suffering from painful spasms over a week ago and got steadily worse throughout Fight Week, to the point where the only viable option was to withdraw from the event.
“He’s still young in this sport and young in life, he still has a lot of opportunities to fight for titles again and again, his health is more important than anything… I think he should be fine in a few weeks.”