Islam Makhachev Reveals Hand Injury Struggles Post-UFC 302, Concerns Over UFC 308 Performance

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev Reveals Hand Injury Struggles Post-UFC 302, Concerns Over UFC 308 Performance

Islam Makhachev's triumph over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his exceptional grappling skills with a dominant submission victory. However, in a recent revelation, Makhachev disclosed that he has been grappling with a hand injury that has cast a shadow of doubt over his ability to compete at UFC 308 against Arman Tsarukyan on October 26th.

“After the fight, my fists hurt, a lot of things hurt,” Makhachev shared candidly. “We’ll take time. Everything is healing little by little. But my hand continues to bother me. An MRI recently confirmed that I have a partial ligament tear. Let’s see if I can recover. If not, I might even have to have surgery. It is questionable.”

The news has sent ripples through the MMA community, as fans eagerly await updates on Makhachev's condition. The lightweight contender's hand injury, a partial ligament tear, has required daily rehabilitation efforts. Despite these efforts, the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline remains a pressing concern.

“We haven’t talked about the fight yet,” Makhachev admitted. “I am doing rehabilitation every day now. And we’ll see how the hand goes. I really want to perform before the end of the year, I plan to. So far, I haven’t even thought about not performing. I want to come in shape, prepared, so that nothing bothers me. Before the last fight, there were also a lot of minor injuries. Everyone somehow accumulated. I want to give my body time to recover.”

The stakes are high for Makhachev, who has steadily climbed the ranks and is seen as a potential future champion. His bout with Tsarukyan at UFC 308 is highly anticipated, given their previous encounter in 2019 where Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory. A rematch promises to be an explosive clash, but Makhachev's ability to compete hinges on his recovery.

Makhachev’s commitment to returning to the octagon in top form is evident in his rigorous rehabilitation routine. However, the decision to proceed with the fight or opt for surgery will be crucial. Fans and analysts alike are keeping a close eye on his progress, hoping for a swift recovery that will allow him to showcase his skills once again.

In the world of mixed martial arts, injuries are an inevitable part of the journey, and Makhachev's situation underscores the resilience and determination required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. As the October 26th date approaches, the MMA community will be watching closely, hoping that one of the sport's brightest stars can overcome this hurdle and continue his ascent towards greatness.

Stay tuned to Fight.TV for the latest updates on Islam Makhachev's recovery and his potential return to the octagon at UFC 308.