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Islam Makhachev Next Fight Opponent & Date Speculated: Will Hand Injury Affect His Title Defense Against Arman Tsarukyan?

Islam Makhachev last defended his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 on June 2, 2024. He’s defended the belt thrice now, and fans are excited to see him battle it out against former rival Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian prospect is riding a four-fight win-streak which includes a decision win over former champ […]

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Next Fight Opponent & Date Speculated: Will Hand Injury Affect His Title Defense Against Arman Tsarukyan? at MMA News.

The Armenian prospect is riding a four-fight win-streak which includes a decision win over former champ Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. However, he’ll be out of action until, at least, October 12, 2024, due to a suspension for punching a fan while walking out.

Makhachev has now revealed a hand injury as well, and here’s how it could affect his next fight and opponent.

Who Is Islam Makhachev’s Next Fight?

Despite the hand injury, Makhachev is most likely to fight Tsarukyan for the UFC lightweight championship next. “Ahalkalakets” is the only fighter in the division with a strong case for a title shot, and the kingpin has acknowledged it repeatedly.

Interestingly, Makhachev is one of the only three fighters to beat Tsarukyan in his pro-MMA career. They fought in April 2019 at UFC Fight Night 149 and after three rounds of high-level grappling exchanges, the Dagestani fighter got the judges’ nod.

Since the loss, Tsarukyan has racked up nine wins, and his close decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot was seen as an impressive performance nonetheless.

When Will Islam Makhachev Return To The UFC?

Makhachev, during an interview with Ushatayka on YouTube, revealed that a hand injury might force him to get surgery, meaning he might not be able to fight at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This was the event rumored to feature his next title defense but naturally, it is hard to confirm anything now.

The news is undeniably disappointing for fans of the UFC lightweight champion as he was keen to defend his title again in 2024.

Tsarukyan, on the other hand, will feature in an anti-bullying PSA video to reduce his nine-month suspension to six and be eligible to fight after October 12. This could become insignificant if the champion cannot fight, though.

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev Next Fight Opponent & Date Speculated: Will Hand Injury Affect His Title Defense Against Arman Tsarukyan? at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Headlines UFC 308 In Abu Dhabi On October 26

The highly anticipated showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway is set to headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, following Islam Makhachev’s recent revelation that he is dealing with an injury. The reigning UFC lightweight champion recently disclosed in an interview with a Russian media outlet that his persistent hand injury, incurred during his fifth-round […]

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Headlines UFC 308 In Abu Dhabi On October 26 at MMA News.

The highly anticipated showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway is set to headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, following Islam Makhachev’s recent revelation that he is dealing with an injury.

The reigning UFC lightweight champion recently disclosed in an interview with a Russian media outlet that his persistent hand injury, incurred during his fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June, is still causing him problems. This ongoing issue has raised concerns about his ability to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi.

Makhachev mentioned that the UFC has not yet officially discussed the fight date with his team, but he had anticipated returning to the Octagon this year. However, MRI results have cast serious doubts on his ability to compete as planned.

With Makhachev leaving a gap at the top of the Middle Eastern card, the UFC has turned to the featherweight title clash between Topuria and Holloway as a replacement to headline UFC 308.

That was recently confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White in a video uploaded to social media.

Previously, it was speculated that “El Matador” would make his first title defense against the BMF titleholder at UFC 307, scheduled to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Read More: UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards

Continue Reading Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Headlines UFC 308 In Abu Dhabi On October 26 at MMA News.

Report: Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria Eyed for UFC 308 amid Islam Makhachev Injury

UFC is weighing a headline bout featuring Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October with Islam Makhachev battling an injury, according to MMA…

Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria Title Fight Headlines UFC 308 Card Announcement

Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria will headline UFC 308 in a featherweight title fight on October 26 with Islam Makhachev battling an injury, Dana White announced…

Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’

Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304. His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may […]

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’ at MMA News.

Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304.

His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may have something to say about that.

Lightweight king Islam Makhachev also wants a shot at champ-champ status in the near future and Edwards has been open to that idea in the past.

Despite Makhachev being considered by many to be the most in-form fighter in the world right now, the welterweight champion’s coach believes that he isn’t a big threat to Edwards’ title.

Dave Lovell Questions If Islam Makhachev Would Be Able To Cause Leon Edwards Problems

During an interview with Submission Radio, Team Renegade’s Dave Lovell spoke about how he sees a fight between Makhachev and his fighter playing out.

Lovell doesn’t believe that the lightweight champion is a major concern to Edwards for a few different reasons.

As he points out, “Rocky” is very used to fighting the top grapplers in his weight class at this point and has proven to be very effective against them.

With Makhachev moving up in weight there will be a clear size difference between the two men and that gives Lovell confidence that “Rocky” would be too big and too skilled should the fight ever happen.

“Would he be big enough? Would he have the same effect that he has at his weight now? I don’t think so. Has he met a sharp shooter like Leon? No he hasn’t. Again, what can Islam bring to Leon? Size wise, Leon’s physically bigger than him, outreaches him.

“So again, he’s going to resort to what he knows which is his wrestling so it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought. Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. So, Islam is not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling and basically, Leon’s improving, people don’t understand.”

Read More: Jon Jones Told He ‘Cannot Do Anything But Acknowledge That Victory’ If Tom Aspinall Defeats Curtis Blaydes At UFC 304

Continue Reading Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’ at MMA News.

Arman Tsarukyan will film anti-bullying video as part of NSAC suspension deal, plans to fight at UFC 308

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t letting anything get in the way of his first UFC title opportunity — including a suspension…

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t letting anything get in the way of his first UFC title opportunity — including a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

After taking a swing at a fan during his walkout at UFC 300, ‘Ahalkalakets’ was suspended for nine months, putting him on the shelf for the rest of 2024 and killing any chance of him challenging for the lightweight title before the year’s up. However, the NSAC is willing to shave down the sentence to six months if Tsarukyan participates in an anti-bullying public service announcement.

Doing so will allow him to return in October, just in time to challenge Islam Makhachev on October 26 when the UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi.

“I will shoot that anti-bullying video at the beginning of August, and my suspension ends on [October] 13th,” Tsarukyan said in an interview with Sport 24. “I just need to make that video, then hopefully I’m going to fight at the end of October or early November.”

“I have to do [the video] to help my career,” he added. “And it doesn’t bother me, it will only do good for my career. And actually, it doesn’t make any sense to put your hands on someone and waste your energy when you are walking out for an actual fight. The problem is I’m a hot-tempered guy. I’m either very kind or very angry and never a happy medium. Even when I train, it’s either light work or full contact … That’s my nature.”

Arman Tsarukyan has a verbal agreement to fight for the lightweight title

Makhachev’s last appearance inside the Octagon came against Dustin Poirier in June. the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ secured his third lightweight title defense, earning a fifth-round submission over ‘The Diamond’ in Newark, New Jersey.

Though Tsarukyan is clearly the next man in line, Makhachev appeared to be far more interested in a potential champion vs. champion clash with welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards.

Asked if he has any concerns over the UFC books that fight instead of giving him his long-awaited rematch with Makhachev, Tsarukyan dismissed that possibility revealing that he already has a verbal agreement in place.

“No they won’t, because we have a verbal agreement that I’m fighting for the title,” he said. “I don’t know if Islam was told that, but they told me I’m next in line.

“To be honest, I don’t care if he moves up a weight class,” Tsarukyan added. “Just give me the interim title then, or let him vacate the title. And I’ll fight him for it. It’s not about fighting Islam. I just need to become the champion.”

Tsarukyan made his UFC debut against Makhachev in April 2019, coming up short via unanimous decision. Since then, ‘Ahalkalakets’ has gone 8-1 and sits as the No. 1 ranked contender in the division following his impressive showing against ex-champion Charles Oliveira.