Islam Makhachev won’t need surgery his coach Javier Mendez has confirmed.
The lightweight champion hasn’t fought since his victory in a tough fight against Dustin Poirier.
Makhachev will now be looking for an opponent to fight to maintain his position as the king of the lightweight division.
Islam Makhachev won’t need surgery
After his last fight against Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev picked up a hand injury. Fans were quick to speculate it would be a long layoff due to potential surgery. Islam’s coach Javier Mendez spoke to Submission radio and said; “I don’t know how he is looking. I do know what he was told, there is no surgery required, he needs to rest his tendon.”
Mendez went on to say; “I haven’t spoken to them (Islam) in regards as to when he is going to start training. Right now I don’t know when he’ll return. The only thing I do know is that Islam Makhachev won’t need surgery on his hand.
It is a relief to both Islam Makhachev and his coach Mendez as tendon injuries are complicated after surgery. Mendez spoke about how after tendon surgery a fighter’s hand becomes brittle and essentially their career is over.
What next for Islam?
Despite the UFC ruling out a potential fight for Islam Makhachev later this year. A potential return date is expected to take place in the early half of 2025. The Dagestan fighter isn’t short of challengers with names such as Max Holloway and Arman Tsarukyan one of the few opponents fans are mentioning.
Mendez also spoke about who the champion could face. When asked about if Tsarukyan would be next for a title shot Mendez said no. He went on to say; “Nothing is ever for sure, the UFC makes it for certain whatever I say is irrelevant.”
“Whenever my guys tell me there are fighting ‘this guy’. I say to them if the UFC doesn’t announce it isn’t even a for sure thing. Anything can change. Arman is the number one contender that’s what all the news media are saying and that’s what the UFC is saying. That can all change though.”
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