Islam Makhachev‘s highly anticipated return to the Octagon has been put on hold, as coach Javier Mendez has confirmed that the lightweight champion will not compete again in 2024. The Dagestani standout was originally set to defend his title against #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan on the UFC 308 card in Abu Dhabi this October, a clash fans had been eagerly awaiting.

However, Makhachev suffered a significant setback with a torn ligament in his hand, likely sustained during his UFC 302 bout with Dustin Poirier. The champion had previously shared that he would undergo a series of tests to determine if he could recover in time for the October event, with hopes of rescheduling the fight to December 2024.

Unfortunately, Mendez has now dashed those hopes, revealing in a recent interview that Makhachev’s injury is more serious than anticipated. With the need for a full recovery and no chance for a proper training camp, the Tsarukyan matchup has been pushed back, possibly to early 2025. Mendez made it clear that without a complete training regimen, there’s no way Makhachev can step into the cage this year.

This news is a blow for fans of the Dagestani champion, who has been on a dominant run in the lightweight division. As anticipation builds for his eventual return, all eyes will be on how Makhachev heals and prepares for what will undoubtedly be one of the most awaited fights in the lightweight division’s recent history, not the least because Makhachev is on the cusp of making history and beating Khabib Nurmagomedov in one aspect.

Islam Makhachev inches from winning most consecutive fights in UFC history

After all, the Dagestani is touching distance from breaking not just one two UFC records. With his victory over ‘Diamond’ at UFC 302 the Makhachkala native now is on a fourteen-fight win streak, which is two wins short of Anderson Silva‘s sixteen consecutive win record in the UFC. A win over Tsarukyan will make him tied with Kamaru Usman and his fifteen-fight win streak, and take him one step from reiterating himself as one of the all-time greats.

In addition, he only needs one more defense of his 155-pound title to break the record for the most title defenses in arguably the UFC’s most competitive division. Of course, many have pointed out that two of the Dagestani champ’s three title defenses so far have come against a featherweight, Alexander Volkanovski, who moved up twice last year to take on the 155-pound king in an attempt to become the UFC’s sixth concurrent two-division champ.

But, at least on paper, a win over Tsarukyan will make him statistically the greatest lightweight champ so far. And the current 155-pound king has stiff competition from his childhood friend and GOAT contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired prematurely in 2020 after only three title defenses. And perhaps this is why Makhachev is not taking any chances and wants to be fully healthy before taking on the young, hungry, and ever-dangerous Arman Tsarukyan. What are your thoughts on