Islam Makhachev has continued to hint at a potential return to action in July, according to a recent roundup post. The post does not provide specific details about an opponent or event. Other notable news in the roundup includes Dustin Poirier commenting negatively on Conor McGregor's potential return, Dana White sharing construction photos of the White House event venue, and new sparring footage between Arnold Allen and Khamzat Chimaev. Additionally, Carlos Ulberg has begun knee rehabilitation, and Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in RAF will reportedly earn him at least a three percent stake in the company. The post is a digest format covering multiple brief updates.
Islam Makhachev has continued to hint at a return to competition in July, though no opponent or specific event has been attached to those signals, according to a recent digest report. Because no official confirmation has been issued, the story remains unverified at this stage.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and holds the undisputed lightweight championship while also sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw, who trains with Eagles MMA, is a dominant grappler who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects on 58 percent of his significant strikes. Any confirmed date for his next title defense will be closely watched across the division.
The same roundup touched on several other storylines. Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old American southpaw out of American Top Team, weighed in negatively on a potential Conor McGregor return. Poirier owns a 30-10 record and is one of the lightweight division's most active strikers, averaging 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Separately, featherweight contender Arnold Allen was seen in sparring footage alongside Khamzat Chimaev. The 32-year-old Englishman, ranked fifth at 145 pounds, holds a 21-4 record and trains out of Tristar Gym. Allen averages 3.52 significant strikes per minute and mixes in 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- A Makhachev July return would set the lightweight title picture for the second half of 2026, though no opponent is confirmed.
- Poirier's comments on McGregor add another voice to an already crowded conversation around that potential comeback.
- Allen's sparring with Chimaev raises questions about potential crossover camp work ahead of his next featherweight assignment.
