Reigning UFC lightweight champion and the organization’s best fighter regardless of weight class, Islam Makhachev, will return to the octagon in four to five months at the earliest.
The Russian fighter said this while speaking to reporters at a judo tournament in Paris.
“In June-July I will hold my next fight,” Makhachev stated. “Right now I only do one training session a day, nothing heavy, but I train every day because I am the champion, I have to defend my title, I have to be always ready. Now everyone wants to take my belt.”
A month earlier, Islam Makhachev announced that he is set to make his title defense against Justin Gaethje on June 8, and in November he will face the winner of the challenger bout between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, who will share the octagon on April 13 at UFC 300 in Las Vegas.
Justin Gaethje has since been scheduled for a fight against Max Holloway, which will also be part of the anniversary event.
Islam Makhachev made two successful defenses of his championship belt last year, winning a unanimous decision over Alexander Volkanovski in February and knocking out the Australian in a rematch in October.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33831-islam-makhachev-ozvuchil-sroki-sleduyushchego-boya.html?rand=19907
