Daniel Cormier explains why "there is no need" for interim lightweight title fight while Islam Makhachev recovers from injury
Daniel Cormier has addressed UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's injury and asserted that there's no need to create an interim UFC lightweight championship during Makhachev's ongoing hiatus. Cormier also shed light on a recent conversation he had with the Dagestani MMA stalwart about his recovery.
'DC' and Makhachev are longtime training partners at the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) gym in San Jose, California, U.S.A. Cormier, who's a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, extensively serves as a UFC commentator and analyst.
Cormier commentated at UFC Abu Dhabi (Aug. 3, 2024). The event was headlined by Makhachev's compatriot and teammate Umar Nurmagomedov, who secured a unanimous decision victory against Cory Sandhagen.
On ESPN MMA's Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, Daniel Cormier revisited the conversation he had with Islam Makhachev after UFC Abu Dhabi. He notably addressed the UFC lightweight kingpin's hand injury.
According to 'DC,' Makhachev told him that the injury wouldn't keep him out for long, but he's unlikely to return on time for the promotion's annual October fight card in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev headlined the UFC's October Abu Dhabi cards in 2022 and 2023.
Cormier and his co-host Chael Sonnen also discussed Arman Tsarukyan, the number one-ranked lightweight contender who's serving a suspension after striking a fan at UFC 300 (April 2024). Tsarukyan recently indicated that he'd like an interim UFC lightweight title fight if he doesn't get to fight Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title within a reasonable timeframe.
Cormier opined that there'd be no shortage of fighters volunteering to compete for an interim title. Nevertheless, he feels that it's unnecessary because Makhachev has fought twice in seven months and isn't going to be away for too long. 'DC' stated:
"He spoke to me a little bit about the injury. I don't quite remember. It was like 3 o'clock in the morning in Abu Dhabi. But he said it shouldn't last too long, but he will not be ready by October [2024]. You get hurt, at times. Islam Makhachev has been active. He fought in October [2023] in Abu Dhabi against Alexander Volkanovski ... In Newark, Islam fought Dustin Poirier."
He added:
"So, he's fought twice very recently. If he was to fight in October, it would have been three fights in the calendar year. There is no need for an interim championship. Chael, when in the world did we start to speak titles into existence?"
Watch Cormier's assessment below (5:07):
What did Islam Makhachev say about his injury?
Islam Makhachev's most recent fight witnessed him defeat former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier via fifth-round submission at UFC 302 (June 2024). In July, Makhachev opened up about the injuries sustained in the fight and acknowledged that his injured hand could sideline him for the rest of 2024 and that he might require surgery to recover.
During a Q&A session before UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this month (Aug. 2024), Makhachev pointed out that he'll get more clarity on his possible return timeline very soon. Implying that injuries are an inevitable part of the sport of MMA, Makhachev stated:
"I cut my hand ligament and we will see. [The] next 10 days I have to wear this thing and [the] doctor will make [a] decision."
Watch Makhachev discuss the injury below: