The date for Islam Makhachev’s next title defense has yet to be determined due to a hand injury.
Makhachev is coming off a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 303 in June. While the aftereffects of the Poirier fight have slowly subsided, Makhachev’s right hand continues to hurt. An MRI scan revealed he has partially torn ligaments in his hand, and he now has a cast on.
Makhachev is expected to have the cast removed within the next few weeks, after which an MRI will determine how to treat the injury. Makhachev recently said he was in doubt about his chances of defending his title at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in October, a statement backed up by the announcement that Ilia Topuria will face Max Holloway in the main event of the event. However, the lightweight champion hopes to defend his title again before the end of 2024.
“I’m waiting to see what the doctors say. I’ll remove this piece in 10 days and see what the doctors say,” Makhachev told ESPN. “I have to do another MRI, so I’m just waiting for the results… I tore half a ligament in my last fight. So [did not] Check it out [initially]After the match, I had a lot of worries, but after it was all over, my hand still hurts. I had an MRI afterwards, and the doctor said, “You have a small cut.” I don’t know. [if it will need surgery]I will know the doctor’s results in 10 days or two weeks… I hope to defend my belt before the end of the year.”
The injury also prevented Makhachev from attending training camp for Saturday’s main event bout in Abu Dhabi between teammates Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen, but Makhachev was there to watch the unbeaten bantamweight contender and said he was impressed with Nurmagomedov’s work.
“Honestly, I know Umar has good grappling, wrestling and striking skills,” Makhachev said. “I just want to see how he’s doing. If he’s in good shape and not injured, I know he’ll perform well. And that’s what we saw last Friday, his last sparring session, and he was great.”
