Islam Makhachev Injury Update: “Cut My Hand Ligament” – UFC Champ Gives Inside Scoop on Recovery as UFC 308 Pullout Confirmed

Islam Makhachev has revealed the true extent of his hand injury. Last week, the reigning UFC lightweight champ had told a Russian media outlet that he had suffered a partial ligament tear in his UFC 302 clash, which a recent MRI scan had confirmed. The Makhachkala native addressed the topic in a recent Q&A session in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev confirmed that while he had a ligament tear on his hand, the doctors would examine him after ten days to determine whether he needed surgery for it.“A small thing, it’s a part of this sport. I have small injury right now. I cut my hand ligament and we will see next 10 days, I have to wear these things, and doctor will make decision,” the lightweight champion said.

Makhachev, of course, is coming off his second title defense against the legendary Dustin Poirier, whom he submitted with an ingenious D’Arce choke. With the victory, he is tied for the most title defenses ever at the UFC’s stacked 155-pound division. But, the injury has derailed his plans to break the record by the end of 2024.

While Makhachev didn’t address when he will fight next in this session, he is expected to be out of the UFC 308 clash in October, where he was expected to face #1 title contender Arman Tsarukyan. In his previous interview with the Russian outlet, the Dagestani had revealed that he might be out of action until at least October, and possibly even the end of the year. However, his long-time coach has revealed when the 155-pound champ will be back in action.

Coach confirms Islam Makhachev out till late this this year

Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez confirmed in a recent interview that the lightweight champ will not be able to headline UFC 308, as was expected. But it seems the AKA head coach expects the Dagestani to recover by the end of the year as he floated a possible late December or early 2025 date for Makhachev’s comeback.

“Probably late December, or maybe January, I don’t know, depends what the UFC and them can come up with. But he’s definitely not going to be ready to fight in October…” Mendez told MMA journalist Helen Yee in a recent interview.

This injury, however, has thrown a spanner in the promotion’s UFC 308 plans and left them without a definite main event bout. According to reports, Dana White and co. have scrambled and sent out feelers to Arman Tsarukyan and former champ Charles Oliveira‘s camps to headline the late October card. To sweeten the pot, the UFC has even reportedly thrown in an interim title, with the winner of the bout most definitely being Makahchev’s next opponent. What are your thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s hand injury?