After recording what was the biggest win of his MMA career at UFC 302, Islam Makhachev is on a break, nursing his hand injury. For many MMA personalities and his fans, they believed he might be taking time off from training. However, Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, says that’s not how the lightweight champion operates because training is all he knows.

Following his win in the dog fight against Dustin Poirier, Makhachev suffered a partial ligament tear on his hand. These kinds of injuries normally heal within weeks to months, but it all depends on the nature of the tear. However, it’s been over four months now, and Makhachev is back in the training despite prior reports that he wasn’t. However, Ali Abdelaziz claims that he’d been in the gym, hitting the mats ever since he successfully defended his title in June, with a 2025 return in mind.

“That’s the plan [return in early 2025]. I think Khabib dropped the news. We’re talking to the UFC right now… He’s ready, he has a small injury [but] he’s recovered,” Ali Abdelaziz told Kevin Iole. “He never stopped training the whole time, you know. This is what kind of guy he is. He lives this and breathes this. He is the pound-for-pound no.1 fighter in the world. Dana can say whatever he wants.”

While Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Islam Makhachev is back in training, the champ’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, gave an insight into his next fight. However, ‘The Eagle’ has preferred to keep his lips sealed until there’s an official word about it.

Khabib Nurmagomedov spills information on the next matchup for Islam Makhachev

‘The Eagle’ claims that it is a wonderful time in the lightweight division with new contenders on the rise, which gives Islam Makhachev some “good” opponents. Just like Ali Abdelaziz, Nurmagomedov also confirmed having talks with UFC head honcho Dana White and Co. and seems to know who the next contender to his protege’s title is. However, he’s not willing to say anything about it because he believes it’s for the top brass to decide and announce.

“There will always be some challenges here. Challenges, new contenders for the title. This sport is growing very fast. Many new young people appear, guys, and there will be good opponents for Islam always. Islam is now not only the champion, now he is also the best pound-for-pound fighter. Today UFC offered us a fight in January, and we accepted it. UFC will do it very soon- announcement of where it will take place and who will be there. I will not make an announcement,” Nurmagomedov stated in a recent interview.

While Arman Tsarukyan waits for his chance at lightweight gold, we might get to see someone else in his place, given that Islam Makhachev doesn’t like rematches. Do you have any names in mind? Drop your comments below.