Recovering from injury, Makhachev points out a likely date for his return and indicates his next challenger

I. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Accustomed to entering the octagon at least twice a year in recent seasons, everything indicates that Islam makhachev will end 2024 with just one appearance. Recovering from a hand injury suffered during his lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) belt defense against Dustin poirier, in June, the champion is missing from the card UFC 308, in Abu Dhabi, but believes he is not far from returning to action.

In an interview with Russian journalist Igor Lazorin, Makhachev stated that he should be available to fight early next year and confirmed the Armenian Arman Tsarukyan as the most likely challenger for the belt.

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“Most likely Tsarukyan is next. He is the No. 1 contender now. I have a small injury, but I am finishing the treatment and I will be ready around the end of the year or beginning of next year, in January,” he said.

First place in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, Islam makhachev has an incredible 14 consecutive victories in the organization, including winning the belt against Charles of the Bronx and three defenses against Alexander Volkanovsky (twice) and Dustin poirier, equaling the lightweight record for defenses alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, B.J. Penn and Benson Henderson.

Main candidate for challenger, Arman Tsarukyan reached first place in the ranking by surpassing Charles of the Bronx in a split decision UFC 300, in May. The Armenian seeks revenge against Islam makhachev, against whom he was defeated in 2019, when he was making his UFC debut.

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