At UFC 311, Islam Makhachev now faces Renato Moicano on just a few hours’ notice. Is there a path to victory for the new challenger?

Islam Makhachev’s D’Arce choke is becoming a signature move after it netted him Submission of the Month honors again in January.

Check out the best photos from Islam Makhachev's first-round submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (Fight and venue photos by Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Spo

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev submitted 10th-ranked Renato Moicano at 4:05 of the first round Saturday night at UFC 311 for his 15th straight victory.

The Russian was due to face Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight title rematch as the main event of UFC 311, but when his rival pulled out with an injury on weigh-in day, Renato Moicano stepped up. This left Beneil Dariush in the lurch, but fans got behind ‘Money’ as he made his unlikely charge towards the title.

Makhachev vs. Moicano took place Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Calif. Islam Makhachev (27-1) and Renato Moicano (20-6-1) squared off in the the main event clash. The fight aired live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

UFC President Dana White announced Friday that Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 on Saturday

Islam Makhachev extended his reign over the lightweight division with a first-round submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. The victory extended

Islam Makhachev cemented his place in UFC history Saturday night at UFC 311, submitting late replacement Renato Moicano.

Arman Tsarukyan's nearly six-year journey to the UFC lightweight title will take a little longer. Tsarukyan suffered an injury two nights before challenging lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.

On Friday, Dana White confirmed the Armenian’s devastating injury news and announced that he had been replaced by Renato Moicano, who was supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the UFC 311 undercard. It didn’t take long for Moicano to aim a social media message at his new UFC 311 opponent. “’Money’ Moicano is coming for the belt,” he said.

Can Moicano defeat all odds and become champ? Check the UFC odds series for our Makhachev-Moicano prediction and pick.