Two days after his fight with Ian Garry, Islam Makhachev showed visible facial marks and addressed concerns about his nose. Makhachev explained he injured it by hitting it against the back of Garry's head while executing a takedown, causing it to bleed. UFC doctors examined the nose and found no fracture, though Makhachev indicated he may seek a second opinion; he reported no other significant injuries.
Two days after his welterweight title defense against Ian Garry, Islam Makhachev addressed visible facial damage and offered an explanation for how his nose was hurt during the bout.
Makhachev, appearing with noticeable marks on his face, explained that the injury occurred while he was shooting a takedown — his nose connected with the back of Garry's head on impact, causing it to bleed. UFC medical staff examined him following the fight and found no fracture, though Makhachev indicated he may seek a second opinion to be certain. Beyond the nose, he reported no other significant injuries from the contest.
The 34-year-old Russian is the reigning welterweight champion and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a professional record of 29 wins and one loss. Fighting out of Eagles MMA in a southpaw stance, Makhachev stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes — a pace that reflects the relentless grappling pressure that defines his championship style.
Why it matters
- Nose injuries sustained in competition can linger and affect a champion's timeline for the next title defense.
- Makhachev's mention of a potential second medical opinion suggests he is being cautious before clearing himself for a return.
- His grappling-heavy approach, which directly caused this injury, remains central to his dominance at 170 pounds and will continue to shape future matchup discussions.
