Speculation was rife in the days leading up to UFC 302. Photos appeared to show Islam Makhachev battling a staph infection on his leg. Makhachev or his camp did not address the rumors in the lead-up to the fight. Now, the lightweight king confirmed the rumors after fighting Dustin Poirier.
UFC Eurasia interviewed Makhachev after his submission win over Dustin Poirier. He was asked about the rumors surrounding the alleged Staph infection. After confirming the rumors, Makhachev revealed how the infection affected him and his performance in the fight.
Yes, I had some. Also, that photo went viral. I had a staph infection. It was bothering me a bit for a week or so when we arrived here in the US. It did distract me a little so I didn’t train, I had some rest to make sure it wouldn’t get worse.
Islam Makhachev via UFC Eurasia
The Dagestani admitted the grotesque staph infection was indeed a distraction. He was forced to put training on pause to get it under control. This was obviously not an ideal situation heading into one of the biggest fights of his career. Makhachev revealed that he saw doctors who cleared him to compete against Dustin Poirier.
Islam Makhachev confirms he had a staph infection leading up to the fight and had to rest & not train for a week while in the US pic.twitter.com/fiwSrtduGJ
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) June 2, 2024
Of course, withdrawing was never an option for the Dagestani fighter. It was a huge gamble that the lightweight champion and his team took. It paid off in the end as Islam Makhachev overcame the former interim champ. Moreover, he ended up breaking multiple records in the process as well.
Islam Makhachev makes record with win over Dustin Poirier
Islam Makhachev accomplished much more than retaining gold with his grueling UFC 302 title defense. The champion also secured his place among the greatest winning streaks in UFC history. Makhachev’s thrilling fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier marked his 14th consecutive octagon victory.
Islam Makhachev joins the exclusive club after UFC 302 win (via MMA Mania)This streak remarkably ties the second-longest streak ever in the promotion. Only Kamaru Usman’s 15-fight win streak and Anderson Silva‘s iconic 16-fight tear remain ahead of Makhachev’s pace. For the stoic 32-year-old, joining such rarified air is just another milestone crossed off. He is now tied for the most title defenses in lightweight history with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar, and B.J. Penn.
Makhachev has no intentions of retiring early like his mentor. He has set sights on more records. Arman Tsarukyan remains the next challenger to compete for the title. If Makhachev overcomes Tsarukyan, he will have the most title defenses in the history of the stacked lightweight division. It will also take him closer to Anderson Silva’s win streak record.
