Islam Makhachev gives update on hand injury, welterweight plans

Islam Makhachev’s next opportunity to fight is still up in the air.

The reigning UFC lightweight champion recently revealed that he tore a hand ligament in his most recent appearance at UFC 302, where he secured a third straight defense of his title with a fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier. It was the 14th consecutive victory for Makhachev, who currently stands as the No. 1 fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings.