Islam Makhachev Addresses Staph Infection Accusations Ahead of UFC 302

Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion, has broken his silence after being accused of fighting with a staph infection at UFC 302. The upcoming main event features Makhachev facing off against Dustin Poirier, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. However, a seemingly innocuous mark on Makhachev’s leg during a promotional photo session sparked speculation about a potential injury.

The Controversy

Eagle-eyed fans on social media noticed a red mark on Isam Makhachev’s right leg in a newly-released UFC portrait. Some even went so far as to claim that he was battling a staph infection, which can be dangerous for both fighters. Conor McGregor, no stranger to controversy himself, chimed in, accusing Islam Makhachev’s team of harboring staph infections. McGregor’s feud with Makhachev’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, adds an extra layer of tension to the situation.

Conor McGregor reacts to Islam Makhachev suffering a potential staph infection ahead of his UFC 302 title defence 👀 pic.twitter.com/2o4zSjSfvz
— Lewis Simpson (@LewisSimpsonMMA) May 30, 2024

Islam Makhachev’s Response

During the pre-fight press conference, Makhachev was asked directly about the staph infection rumors. Smirking, he addressed the crowd: “Don’t worry, guys. I had a very good training camp. Nothing is bothering me, and I’ll be 100 percent on Saturday night.” His dismissive tone suggests that he’s unfazed by the accusations and fully prepared for the title defense against Poirier.

This isn’t the first time Makhachev has found himself embroiled in controversy. Prior to UFC 284, he faced accusations of using an illegal IV ahead of his fight with Alexander Volkanovski. A mark on his arm in a promotional photo fueled speculation, but no concrete evidence supported the claims. Makhachev remains a polarizing figure, and his stoic response to the staph infection allegations only adds to the intrigue surrounding UFC 302.