Islam Makhachev has been eyeing a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan to defend his UFC lightweight championship. He last fought Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 and was expected to return at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2024.
Makhachev and Tsarukyan first crossed paths in April 2019. Although the Armenian fighter threw and landed more strikes, the Dagestani prospect bagged the decision win due to four takedowns and over five minutes of control time.
The UFC lightweight kingpin had recently revealed a hand injury that could potentially delay his return. Makhachev and his coach have now shared more details and clarified whether defending the title at UFC 308 is no longer a possibility…
Islam Makhachev’s UFC Return Could Be Delayed To Early 2025
Javier Mendez recently appeared on Helen Yee Sports on YouTube and shared the implications of Makhachev’s hand injury. The coach first explained that a ligament-related injury has left the champion unable to train.
“Yes, he’s got a ligament injury and he’s, you know, looking for consultation. Not looking, he’s getting consultation from different doctors and we’ll see what they say he has to do. But yeah, no, he’s not going to be able to train to, you know, for a fight so probably late December November or maybe January, I don’t know. Depends on what the UFC, and them, can come up with but he’s definitely not going to be ready to fight, you know, in October [UFC 308], like people are hoping.”
As per Mendez, Makhachev is currently receiving advice from several doctors that would decide the fate of his UFC return. However, he admitted that defending the UFC lightweight belt at UFC 308 in October is unlikely.
Mendez believes that a late 2024 or early 2025 return to the Octagon is more realistic for Makhachev. Because there’s a lack of contenders at lightweight, Tsarukyan is still likely to be the challenger. Moving up a weight class is also off the table because Makhachev and Belal Muhammad have been training together and have no intention to fight each other.
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