Following his submission victory over Dustin Poirier earlier this year, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev suffered a painful ligament tear in his hand and was forced to sit out on the sidelines, with the tear even requiring surgery to correct.
Whilst there had been some serious speculation that the promotion would move to make an interim title fight in the meantime, UFC President Dana White has now confirmed what the plans are for the lightweight division.
Dana White confirms the UFC won’t make an interim lightweight title fight
After lightweight champion Islam Makhachev revealed the hand injury a few months ago, almost every single member of the Top 5 raised their own in the hopes of securing a spot in an interim title fight.
It was expected that 22-3 Armenian wrestler Arman Tsarukyan would be one of the two men competing for interim gold; however, Dana White has now confirmed that the UFC isn’t even planning to make another championship fight at 155lbs until Makhachev has recovered.
Speaking to reporter Manouk Akopyan earlier this week, when asked whether Tsarukyan would be getting the chance to fight for an interim title in December, White simply responded with a stern “No.”
“Islam’s fought so many times and is always willing to jump up to take a fight so no – there won’t be an interim title… When he’s ready to go, we’ll go- we have plans, we’re looking at it right now on when he would fight.”
Luckily for the Armenian, White would also note that whenever Makhachev does return from injury, it’ll be the surging ‘Ahalkalakets’ who gets that title shot next.
“He’s the number one contender, I don’t know [when it’ll happen], we’re working on it,” he stated, before noting that he wasn’t in the mood to discuss long-term plans: “I’m focused on The Sphere, that’s it.”
Makhachev last competed at UFC 302 in June, defeating veteran Dustin Poirier via submission.
Arman Tsarukyan says matchup against Makhachev confirmed for early 2025
Given that a significant portion of the UFC champion line-up either have their next fight booked or have just fought for a title, the promotion might be running thin on possible headlining attractions for the final two PPVs of the year – which is why so many expected an interim lightweight fight to be made.
Yet in conversation with Red Corner MMA, Tsarukyan himself only recently stated that he expects the title fight with Makhachev to take place in early 2025.
“I knew that [the fight would happen next year], I was informed that this fight would not happen this year [and that] it will take place early next year.”
When asked whether that timeline came from an official source, Tsarukyan said “Yes, it’s from the UFC but this is the nature of the sport.”
“Everything can change in a moment and that’s why I am keeping myself in shape, I am in camp now… I don’t care when this fight happens – even if it does in a year, I will keep working and moving towards this fight.
“It’s not about fighting Islam for me; it’s about becoming the champion.”
Arman Tsarukyan is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, including a decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 earlier this year.