Islam Makhachev calls out ‘chicken’ Conor McGregor over broken toe fight postponement
The world’s top UFC fighter didn’t appreciate Conor McGregor prolonging his UFC return.
After McGregor disclosed on Friday that he suffered a broken toe while training for his UFC 303 main card matchup with Michael Chandler, Islam Makhachev took to social media to scorn the Irishman.
“You don’t need a pinkie toe for a fight lol. Chicken 🐔” wrote Makhachev on X.
Makhachev followed it up with a post siding with Chandler, sending his “condolences.”
Earlier this month, the 32-year-old Makachev submitted veteran fan favorite Dustin Poirier in the fifth round to retain his lightweight belt, which he’s kept since October 2022.
Ironically, Makhachev himself has had long furloughs relative to most headliner standards.
The Dagestani went eight months between fights with Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, then waited eight more months before opposing Poirier on June 1.
Makhachev has frequented social media in the past to express his thoughts about the broader UFC landscape.
For instance, the champ offered his assessment after the iconic BMF matchup between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April.
With a 26-1-0 record and not having lost since October 2015, Makhachev is generally regarded as the best fighter currently competing in the UFC, already etching his name as one of the greatest lightweights ever.
Yet, UFC president Dana White didn’t laud Makhachev as much as most fans and pundits do.
While speaking to reporters after Makhachev’s win in Atlantic City, White said that Jon Jones — who hasn’t fought since March 2023 — was still the pound-for-pound No. 1 over Makhachev.
McGregor and Chandler have been rumored to fight for over a year but yet again are in search of a definitive date and venue.
The two squared off as coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter: Season 31” last summer, which traditionally pits the coaches of the two teams against one another in the octagon.
According to UFC insider Ariel Helwani, the company is intending to target August or September to finally have the two household names duel.
Neither McGregor nor Chandler has entered the octagon since November 2022, with the two seemingly spurning other opportunities in pursuit of their exclusive fight.
