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

Makhachev was set to defend his title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan, while Moicano was to face Beneil Dariush. However, everything changed at the official morning weigh-ins when Tsarukyan withdrew from his title opportunity due to a back injury.

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.

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 closed out UFC 311 with a first-round submission win over Renato Moicano to defend his UFC lightweight championship from the Intuit Dome

It's not the matchup we expected, but Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano are set to fight with undisputed UFC gold at stake. Their lightweight title bout scheduled for five rounds is taking place Saturday,

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

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.

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

On Friday, Dana White confirmed the Armenian’s devastating injury news and announced that he had been replaced by Renato Moicano, who was supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the UFC 311 undercard.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.

Islam Makhachev has opened up as a massive betting favorite ahead of his UFC 311 title defense against Renato Moicano.