Over the past few years, we have become accustomed to the fact that the UFC numbered tournaments in Abu Dhabi are constantly led by Russian fighters. There were exceptions, but very rarely, so everyone knows by default that if a tournament is held in one of the eastern countries, you should wait for a Russian to take part in the main fight. First it was Khabib Nurmagomedov, now it is Islam Makhachev.
So, this time, at the upcoming UFC 308 tournament, absolutely everyone expected to see a rematch between the current lightweight champion and Arman Tsarukyan. Another option was not even considered, but it seems that Makhachev’s participation in the event is under threat.
Islam Makhachev
Photo: Fake Images
Apparently, Islam injured his hand in a fight with Dustin Poirier. Even though it’s been almost two months since the fight, Makhachev walks around with his right hand in a splint and is undergoing rehabilitation: “After the fight, my fists hurt, a lot of things hurt. We took time, everything heals little by little. But the hand continued to bother me. We recently had an MRI. And they confirmed that there was a partial tear of the ligaments. Let’s see… If I can’t restore it, I may even have to have surgery. UFC 308? Questionable. We haven’t talked about the fight yet. Now I’m doing rehabilitation every day. Let’s see how the hand turns out. I really want to perform before the end of the year. I didn’t think I wouldn’t perform. But I want to get in shape, prepare so that nothing bothers me. Before the last fight, there were also a lot of minor injuries, somehow everything piled up and I want to let the body recover. But I train, I keep fit, between 40 and 50 percent. Let’s see what happens.”
This is a problem for the UFC, as the Abu Dhabi sheikhs, who pay to host the tournament, ideally want to see a Muslim champion. And if everything had gone well with Islam, then his fight could have already been announced. For example, a rematch with Charles Oliveira was announced last year on July 20. Currently, the UFC is silent.
Is Islam’s campaign for the second belt postponed?
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But there were reports that the promotion was preparing a replacement for the fight between Makhachev and Tsarukyan. First, the Spanish publication Marca reported that Ilia Topuria would probably make his first title defense in Abu Dhabi. And the expected opponent will be Max Holloway. The same information was confirmed by the prestigious journalist Ariel Helwani.
Initially, the fight between Topuria and Holloway was planned to take place in early October at the UFC 307 tournament in Salt Lake City. But if Makhachev retires, then it is more logical to hold this particular fight in Abu Dhabi. Sheikhs and fans of the UAE will definitely not lose out – these fighters are ready to put on a show on any territory. In theory, there is an option with a fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, but over the past six months the Brazilian has become a world star and they will not “trade” him in Abu Dhabi, but most likely they will. You will want to see him in New York.
Alex Pereira
Photo: Fake Images
As for Makhachev, if he doesn’t make it to UFC 308, we almost certainly won’t see the Russian champion this year. There’s very little chance of this happening. After Abu Dhabi, there are two numbered tournaments left. But Jon Jones will definitely be at UFC 309 in November, and putting the number one P4P in the co-main event isn’t entirely logical. And perhaps Alex Pereira will be sent there as well. And Conor McGregor is scheduled to return at UFC 310 in December. It’s obvious that he’ll fight in the main event, and it’s also obvious that Makhachev won’t fight in the same tournament as the Irishman.
It turns out that it is necessary to wait for Islam at the beginning of next year, in January or February, in order to arrive before Ramadan. And it is very sad that the champion’s downtime is forced to be prolonged.
