The Islam Makhachev hand injury has been a fixture in recent MMA-related headlines and the titular figure has offered a bit of insight into his ongoing health situation.
The reigning UFC lightweight champion took part in a fan Q&A session ahead of this weekend’s pugilistic proceedings with UFC Abu Dhabi.
With his hand adorned with a cast from the injury he sustained when defending his strap against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, Makhachev updated the MMA world on his situation when he said:
“It’s good. It’s small things. It’s a part of this; part of this sport. I have [a] small injury right now. It’s a; I cut my hand ligament and we will see. [The] next 10 days I have to wear this thing and [the] doctor will make [a] decision.”
This obviously does not provide insights into when Makhachev will be returning to competition. But, we should have some sort of idea as to what that could look like in less than two weeks.
Check out Makhachev discussing his rough return timeline from injury below:
Islam Makhachev and what challenge could await him upon his return
Islam Makhachev certainly has a strong pool of talent awaiting him when he gets back to the octagon as the UFC’s 155-pound division has always been a shark tank of a weight category.
The 32-year-old is theorized by some to next be facing Arman Tsarukyan in what would be a rematch with Makhachev winning their first fight. Tsarukyan being in that spot would certainly make sense but there is a certain former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder who could possibly get in the cage with Islam Makhachev next.
In a transcription courtesy of MMA Fighting, the Dagestan native stated:
“I already beat Arman [Tsarukyan]. If UFC puts [Tsarukyan] next, no problem, but it’s not an exciting match for me. I need some new name, new challenger. I already beat Arman. If Max [Holloway] wants, let’s do it. I don’t need [the BMF belt], but Max is a good name, a big name, and it’s going to be a crazy fight for the fans.”
The UFC’s number one pound-for-pound ranked fighter has also in the past entertained moving up in weight to pursue two division champion status. Due to a personal relationship as training partners though, newly minted welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has, as of now, halted Islam Makhachev’s plans to seek out gold at 170 pounds per the lightweight champion himself.
In any event, many are understandably excited about when the next chapter unfurls in this great championship story regardless of when that specifically happens to be.
