“It is questionable (if I will fight at UFC 308). We haven’t talked about the fight yet. I am doing rehabilitation every day now. And we’ll see how the hand goes,” said Islam Makhachev on his Injury. The lightweight champion of the world appears to be taking a hiatus from the Octagon due to his partial ligament tear. This injury has derailed Arman Tsarukyan’s aspirations to face the champion by the end of the year.

Islam Makhachev fought against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. After a hard-fought battle, he clinched the victory by way of submission in the final round. The victory was sweet for the Dagestani as he broke multiple records but left him with a ligament injury that halted his plans to become a double champ. Tsarukyan received the news a bit later than expected, and his first reaction was to call out Dana White to give him a chance to become a champion.

“I am the Number one contender. [Makhachev] says that I only talk. How can a person talk and be in the top one?… I became number one and proved to the whole world that I am a contender for the title. And my next fight will be only for the belt. So it could be an interim title if [Makhachev] doesn’t have time to recover his hand. If he recovers his hand, it will be even better for me,” said Arman Tsarukyan.

The Armenian fighter called out for an interim championship belt from Dana White. Well, as the injury scared the fate of the lightweight division, the community has come forward to ask for an Interim championship match between Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira.

Tsarukyan vs Oliveira? For an interim lightweight belt?

UFC 300 witnessed the clash between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. The fight was nothing but an emotional rollercoaster for the fans, as it was packed with action. At one time we were witnessing a dominant Oliveira employing his BJJ skills and at the other time, Tsarukyan was using his agility to get hold of ‘Do Bronx.’ Sadly the match ended in a split decision victory for Tsarukyan. The match was so thrilling that, “Arman vs Charles 2? Last fight was a split decision which honestly if you attempt in sub attempts for scoring, could have gone the either way.”

Th͏͏͏͏eir͏͏ ͏fi͏g͏͏͏͏͏h͏t͏͏͏ ͏͏was a ͏t͏͏h͏r͏e͏e͏͏͏-round bout͏͏͏ ͏͏th͏͏a͏t t͏͏͏͏͏ook pla͏͏c͏͏͏e a͏͏t͏ ͏U͏F͏C͏͏͏ ͏͏3͏00͏. ͏At t͏͏͏͏͏͏h͏͏͏e ͏en͏d͏͏͏ ͏͏͏of ͏͏t͏͏͏͏͏he͏͏ thir͏d͏ rou͏n͏͏͏͏d, Ol͏iv͏͏ei͏r͏a ͏͏had͏͏͏ ga͏͏in͏͏e͏͏d ͏͏a͏͏͏n͏ ͏advan͏͏͏t͏͏a͏͏ge͏͏ ove͏͏r Tsa͏ru͏ky͏a͏͏n͏͏͏.͏ A͏͏c͏c͏or͏͏di͏n͏g ͏t͏͏o͏ f͏͏an͏s͏͏͏͏,͏͏͏͏͏ ͏͏i͏͏͏f͏ it had been ͏a͏͏ f͏͏i͏v͏͏͏e͏͏-r͏͏͏͏͏o͏͏͏u͏nd fig͏h͏t, ͏͏͏͏Ol͏iv͏ei͏͏͏r͏͏a͏ ͏w͏͏ou͏͏ld h͏͏a͏ve ͏͏͏w͏͏o͏n͏. ͏I͏͏n͏͏͏͏ l͏ig͏͏͏͏ht͏ o͏f ͏t͏͏his͏, ͏͏͏͏͏͏fans sug͏͏ge͏s͏͏͏͏͏t͏͏ed͏ ͏t͏ha͏t͏ ͏the fi͏͏g͏͏͏ht s͏͏h͏͏o͏͏ul͏d ͏be ͏s͏c͏͏͏he͏d͏͏u͏͏l͏͏ed a͏s a ͏f͏i͏v͏e͏͏-r͏ou͏͏n͏d ma͏͏͏t͏ch͏, “Fight Charles in a 5 rounder, for interim belt.”

Furthermore, an MMA enthusiast directly called to book a match, “Book arman vs Charles.”

Islam Makhachev’s ligament tear might take him away from the Octagon for a considerable period. According to reports, he might not be able to fight at the year’s end. Looking at this, a fan said, “Since islam is injured, Arman vs Charles 2 for the interim belt.” Soon another fan called out for a five-rounder match, “Against charles 5 rounds lfg.”

Last but not the least, a social media user highlighted, how close it was for Oliveira to clinch the victory, “At first i was like what’s the point of a Charles rematch but it was 2-1 so a 5 rounder would be interesting.”

If an interim belt comes into the picture, then other contenders might have a say in it. Regardless, what’s your take on the situation? State your thoughts in the comments below.