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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Bohn

Islam Makhachev reveals hand injury, possible surgery could delay next UFC title defense

Islam Makhachev has every intention of defending his UFC title against Arman Tsarukyan this year, but his health might say otherwise.

UFC lightweight champ Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) has revealed a lingering hand injury stemming from his fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June still is giving him issues – and is raising questions about whether he’ll be able to defend against Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi.

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