The MMA world was seemingly shaken up by UFC’s very own Mystic Mac’s claims of spotting a staph infection on current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s leg. This comes just days before Makhachev is set to defend his title for the third time at UFC 302 against former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. And in typical Conor McGregor style, this was not devoid of a barrage of insults and trash talk.

McGregor’s post on X was directed to his team and it is no surprise to the fans, given the history the ex-double champ shares with team Khabib. He advised Makhachev to “wash himself” and “take showers every day,” in a not-so-incidental verbal attack on the Russian. Yet, despite this verbal battery, he claimed that regardless of the situation, Makhachev would still beat Poirier in the first round.

More significantly, if this is indeed a staph infection, it could pose a serious problem for Islam Makhachev. We saw a similar situation ensue with Benoit-Saint-Denis just days before UFC 299, which resulted in his defeat. Saint-denis claimed he was on antibiotics at that time, and Makhachev’s viral picture this raises concern about whether he’ll be able to perform at his best in the upcoming fight.

Nevertheless, there is no official statement from Khabib’s camp or Makhachev’s representative regarding the alleged staph infection. Despite the lack of confirmation, the viral post has received attention from the entire MMA world, including Makhachev’s team. Some find the claims hilarious, while others are superstitious ahead of his upcoming fight against Dustin Poirier.

Concerns rise over Islam Makhachev’s staph infection before UFC 302

Ahead of his return to the octagon after his victory over ex-UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski via a stunning head-kick Knockout at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev had been taking precautions and even maintained his training during Ramadan. However, the recent news of a potential staph infection has shaken his fans which is reflected in the comment section of the post on social media MMA page name @#ranbets.

Despite all the concerns for the UFC champ, one fan still refused to believe that Makhachev had fallen prey to the infection, “Gullibe mfs man, Islam would definitely pull out if he had staph.” Another fan on the same thread, wondering how athletes ended up with such injury scares, commented, “How do you get that? I see a lot of fighters with it.”

Meanwhile, some fans are looking at the superstitious side, drawing parallels to Dustin Poirier’s fight with Benoit Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis had a staph infection on his forehead before the fight and ultimately lost via TKO. One fan commented, “Didn’t BSD have staph right before the DP fight…maybe it is Dustin’s time!” A Poirier fan, predicting a first-round victory, commented, “Dustin is 1-0 against people with staph.” Another fan jokingly awarded the title belt to Dustin Poirier before the fight, commenting, “HOLY F*CK DUSTIN MIGHTVE ACTUALLY LUCKED HIS WAY TO THE BELT.”

However, another MMA fan insinuated some reason to the whole ordeal, remarking, “That could easily just be a little scrape that’s bruised up. Not EVERYTHING is staff, you guys.” This was a reasonable response, given that grapplers often have skin abrasions from rubbing against the ground or their opponents, which could be mistaken for staph.

Amidst all the hue and cry, if Conor McGregor’s allegations do end up being true, then it will be the second time Dustin Poirier will be fighting someone with a staph infection. And this has naturally offered a glimmer of hope for the ex-interim champ’s fans against the dominant Russian, who last tasted defeat back in 2015 against Adriano Martins.

As for the rumors, fans still await an official statement from Islam Makhachev’s team before his title defense this weekend.