After successfully defending his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier earlier this year at UFC 302, Islam Makhachev picked up an injury that he has been nursing for the rest of the year.
Despite currently being number one on the pound-for-pound list, Islam Makhachev has only fought once this year after picking up a hand injury that has put him on the sidelines.
However, his next title defense is likely to come against former foe, Arman Tsarukyan, after he narrowly defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 this past April.
Islam Makhachev’s manager provides an update on title defense
Recently, Makhachev’s team leaked on Instagram that his title defense against ‘Ahalkalakets’ would take place on January 18 at UFC 311 but his manager has now provided an update on that potential date.
“No, the contracts have not been signed. We personally have not signed or received anything yet but we are preparing for January 18,” Makhachev’s manager told Ushatayka.
“Back in September, we were given this date, we accepted it and there was no specific confirmation about the opponent yet, we assume that it’ll be Arman Tsarukyan,” he continued.
Tsarukyan is the clear contender in the division, however, former champion Oliveira picked up a recent impressive win against Michael Chandler at UFC 309, and he is hoping to earn a rematch against either Makhachev or Tsarukyan.
Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in Islam Makhachev’s corner
During his pursuit of the lightweight title, Makhachev was cornered by the former champion of the division and teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
However, once the 33-year-old claimed the 155lb strap, Nurmagomedov stopped being part of his corner team as he claimed that he had left everything to do with fighting.
Despite that, Makhachev’s manager confirmed that for his rematch against Tsarukyan, ‘The Eagle’ will once again return to the corner of the 33-year-old.
It is unconfirmed by the promotion as of yet whether the lightweight title fight will take place on the UFC 311 card but they have already confirmed some high-level fights for the event.
The current co-main event is scheduled to take place between former light heavyweight champions, Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, with things heating up between those two 205lbers.
The promotion also recently announced that Kevin Holland will take on recent debutant and ONE Championship double champion, Reinier de Ridder.
- SHOCKING DISCOVERY: Robert Whittaker reveals huge discovery made by doctors whilst getting his teeth removed following crushing Khamzat Chimaev loss