Following his impressive UFC 302 win with a fifth-round finish, Islam Makhachev revealed that he racked up quite a few injuries, sidelining him for a few months. With Arman Tsarukyan waiting for his rematch against the Dagestan native, the lightweight champion recently opened up on the state of his injury with a possible timeline for his in-cage return. Arman Tsarukyan only wants a title fight, and he’s even ready to clash with another lightweight for an interim strap while Islam Makhachev takes his time to heal. But it seems like he may not have to wait for Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protégé for too long, as per his statement in a recent interview.

Recently, Michael Chandler accepted to fight Charles Oliveira after claiming that he can’t wait too long for Conor McGregor, whose return is still uncertain. ‘Iron’ also claimed that the winner of the fight between him and ‘Do Bronxs’ would be the next number one contender. Hence, there were doubts if he would edge past Arman Tsarukyan to take on Islam Makhcahev, but the 155-pound champ has doubled down on ‘Ahalkalakets’ being the frontrunner for a title shot first.

“Well, most likely Arman Tsarukyan is the number one contender now,” Islam Makhcahev told the Russian media outlet ‘Ushatayka’ (translated via YouTube auto-translate). As far as his injury is concerned, the champ’s healing well and claims to have gone through all the necessary medical procedures to nurse his injury. If it all works well and get gets fit in time, he could fight for the second time in 2024, but it will take a little longer, then he’s eying an early 2025 return.

“I have a slight injury now, but I’ve already completed my 3D treatment. [I may return by the] end of the year, January, or the beginning of the year,”
Islam Makhachev added. Meanwhile, Makhachev fans can take a deep breath and relax because there is a chance that he will make his return soon because AKA head coach Javier Mendez recently provided good news from the 155-pound king’s end.

Islam Makhachev’s coach claims his injury doesn’t need surgery

Islam Makhachev’s hand injury created a lot of tension among fans about how long he’d be out. But his confident claim about returning in a few months stems from the fact that there’s nothing serious about his injury. Moreover, AKA head coach Javier Mendez claimed that Makhachev doesn’t even need any type of surgery. Instead, the Dagestan native just needs some rest.

“I don’t know how he is looking. I do know what he was told. There is no surgery required, he needs to rest his tendon,” Islam Makchev’s coach told ‘Submission Radio’. “I haven’t spoken to them [Makhachev] in regards as to when he is going to start training. So, right now… I don’t really have any answer that would be correct other than no surgery. That, I do know.”

So, now, things are looking good for Islam Makhachev as we wait to see if his timeline turns out to be right by the end of this year. Let us know your thoughts on the lightweight champion’s injury update in the comments down below.