Islam Makhachev’s next opportunity to fight is still up in the air.
The reigning UFC lightweight champion recently revealed that he tore a hand ligament in his most recent appearance at UFC 302, where he secured a third straight defense of his title with a fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier. It was the 14th consecutive victory for Makhachev, who currently stands as the No. 1 fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings.
Unfortunately for Makhachev’s fans, it’s unclear when he’ll fight again. At a fan Q&A ahead of this Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi card, Makhachev arrived sporting a cast on his right hand and he was asked about the status of his injury.
“It’s good, it’s a small thing,” Makhachev said. “It’s part of this sport. I have a small injury right now, 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.”
When Makhachev is ready to fight again, he has no shortage of challenges, first and foremost the streaking Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian contender has won 9 of his 11 UFC fights, with his only setbacks in the octagon coming in a razor-close split decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot and in his UFC debut against Makhachev back in 2019.
Makhachev explained why he’s not intrigued by a Tsarukyan rematch when asked if he’d prefer a fight with “BMF” champion Max Holloway.
“Why not?” Makhachev said of Holloway. “Because I already beat Arman. 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 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.”
Holloway is currently rumored to be fighting UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria sometime in the fourth quarter of 2024, but that bout has not been made official.
Makhachev has also dabbled with the idea of being a two-division threat, with the lightweight champion having previously discussed moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards. That matchup no longer makes as much sense with Edwards having dropped that title to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.
Given that Makhachev and Muhammad are friends, it’s doubtful Makhachev pursues that belt now.
“Belal didn’t give him any chance,” Makhachev said. “Smash him everywhere. He make us nervous a little bit with a couple of positions, but now Belal is the champion. This guy broke my plans to be double champion.
“But I am really happy for him and happy for his country. He deserves it.”
As long as Muhammad sits on the welterweight throne, Makhachev isn’t interested in it, which may an even bigger jump up in weight if he wants a second UFC championship.
Makhachev is staying realistic about a potential move to the middleweight division.
“I can move [up], but it’s going to be hard,” Makhachev said. “All middleweight guys are so big and I have to bring some weight. We will see. When I finish all my jobs in my division, we will make plans.”
