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Fighting at UFC 311
Makhachev will fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev has already taken on Tsarukyan once in his UFC career -- a fight the former won back in 2019 -- but the lightweight title will be on the line this time around. Makhachev has been recovering from a partial ligament tear in his hand since July, though extended periods of inactivity have rarely bothered the 33-year-old before.
Makhachev has already taken on Tsarukyan once in his UFC career -- a fight the former won back in 2019 -- but the lightweight title will be on the line this time around. Makhachev has been recovering from a partial ligament tear in his hand since July, though extended periods of inactivity have rarely bothered the 33-year-old before.
Targeting return soon
Makhachev (hand) wants to return to the octagon in late 2024 or early 2025, Damon Martin of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev doesn't have an established return date, but he's pushing for a fight in the coming months, and if that's the case, it'll "most likely" be against Arman Tsarukyan. "Most likely Tsarukyan [is next]," Makhachev told Russian reporter Igor Lazorin. "[He's] the No. 1 contender now. I have a small injury now but I'm finishing up my treatment and I'll be ready around the end of the year, beginning of [next] year, January." Makhachev owns a 26-1-0 pro record.
Makhachev doesn't have an established return date, but he's pushing for a fight in the coming months, and if that's the case, it'll "most likely" be against Arman Tsarukyan. "Most likely Tsarukyan [is next]," Makhachev told Russian reporter Igor Lazorin. "[He's] the No. 1 contender now. I have a small injury now but I'm finishing up my treatment and I'll be ready around the end of the year, beginning of [next] year, January." Makhachev owns a 26-1-0 pro record.
Dealing with longer-term injury
Makhachev has confirmed a partial ligament tear in his hand that could keep him out for the rest of the year, Championship Rounds reports.
ANALYSIS
Makhachev must now decide whether or not to get surgery, which would be the option that keeps him out of action for the rest of the calendar year. Of course, he could always attempt the "rest and recovery" route in an effort to return for his originally-targeted fight October 26 in Abu Dhabi, though it's unclear how much incentive the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter has to take any risks with his long-term health.
Makhachev must now decide whether or not to get surgery, which would be the option that keeps him out of action for the rest of the calendar year. Of course, he could always attempt the "rest and recovery" route in an effort to return for his originally-targeted fight October 26 in Abu Dhabi, though it's unclear how much incentive the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter has to take any risks with his long-term health.
Passes first real test as champion
Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier via submission (D'Arce choke) at 2:42 of Round 5 at UFC 302 in Newark on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
It looked as though Makhachev was going to have another easy victory after taking Poirier down early in Round 1, but "The Diamond" was able to stay safe and ride out the frame. It became increasingly more difficult from there, as Dustin would stuff takedowns, land jabs and do good body work in the rounds that followed. Make no mistake; however, Islam was using his boxing and grappling ability to stay ahead up until the point that he spun Dustin down to the mat by his foot and sunk in the choke. We are used to seeing the Dagestani fighter powerhouse his way through bouts, so it was good to see him face adversity and come through in the end. After the match, Makhachev discussed his intention to move up to welterweight, and while there are some interesting potential fights, the idea may be a function of weight-cutting difficulty as much as anything else. Makhachev's creativity, strength and ability to fight in all phases make him someone to watch regardless of where he fights next. He moves to 26-1 in professional MMA, having won his last 14 consecutive bouts. He'll also walk away with both $50,000 Performance of the Night and $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
It looked as though Makhachev was going to have another easy victory after taking Poirier down early in Round 1, but "The Diamond" was able to stay safe and ride out the frame. It became increasingly more difficult from there, as Dustin would stuff takedowns, land jabs and do good body work in the rounds that followed. Make no mistake; however, Islam was using his boxing and grappling ability to stay ahead up until the point that he spun Dustin down to the mat by his foot and sunk in the choke. We are used to seeing the Dagestani fighter powerhouse his way through bouts, so it was good to see him face adversity and come through in the end. After the match, Makhachev discussed his intention to move up to welterweight, and while there are some interesting potential fights, the idea may be a function of weight-cutting difficulty as much as anything else. Makhachev's creativity, strength and ability to fight in all phases make him someone to watch regardless of where he fights next. He moves to 26-1 in professional MMA, having won his last 14 consecutive bouts. He'll also walk away with both $50,000 Performance of the Night and $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
Scheduled against Poirier
Makhachev will defend the UFC Lightweight Championship against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark on June 1, according to Andreas Hale of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
It will be Makhachev's third defense of the UFC Lightweight Championship. In both of his earlier defenses, he prevented ex-featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski from becoming a double champion. During what the promotion named its best fight of 2023, Makhachev outlasted Volk in the latter's home country at UFC 284. In their rematch, a decisive head kick gave the defending champion his first definitive knockout win since 2018. The wins marked Makhachev's 12th and 13th consecutive UFC victories, a streak that is expected to make his current challengers underdogs by default based on steady excellence.
It will be Makhachev's third defense of the UFC Lightweight Championship. In both of his earlier defenses, he prevented ex-featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski from becoming a double champion. During what the promotion named its best fight of 2023, Makhachev outlasted Volk in the latter's home country at UFC 284. In their rematch, a decisive head kick gave the defending champion his first definitive knockout win since 2018. The wins marked Makhachev's 12th and 13th consecutive UFC victories, a streak that is expected to make his current challengers underdogs by default based on steady excellence.