UFC's Islam Makhachev Calls Conor McGregor a 'Chicken' After Photo of Toe Injury

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJune 21, 2024

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 01: Islam Makhachev of Russia prepares to face Dustin Poirier in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 302 event at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev called Conor McGregor a chicken for pulling out of his UFC 303 fight with Michael Chandler after suffering a broken pinky toe in training.

Makhachev Islam @MAKHACHEVMMA
You don't need a pinkie toe for a fight lol. Chicken 🐓

McGregor revealed that news on Friday.

MMA Orbit @mma_orbit
Images of the broken toe that forced Conor McGregor's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC303?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC303</a> withdrawal 😬 <a href="https://t.co/8rNwk0wEip">pic.twitter.com/8rNwk0wEip</a>

Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani
Conor McGregor reveals he suffered a broken toe, which led to him having to withdraw from 303. Same leg that he broke versus Poirier in 2021. "It needs a few weeks that's it," he wrote. <a href="https://t.co/RltaqoZHn9">https://t.co/RltaqoZHn9</a> <a href="https://t.co/WqU0zl0nze">pic.twitter.com/WqU0zl0nze</a>

Makhachev also offered his condolences to Chandler, who he nicknamed "Hachiko."

Makhachev Islam @MAKHACHEVMMA
And my condolences to Michael 'Hachiko' Chandler 😀

For more information on that reference, here's a note from the WeRateDogs X account:

WeRateDogs @dog_rates
This is Hachikō. He was an Akita born on Nov. 10, 1923 in Japan. He was sold to Hidesaburo Ueno, a scientist at the University of Tokyo. Ueno named him Hachi after the number 8, which is considered lucky in Japan, and the two became inseparable... <a href="https://t.co/g6lCANat3u">pic.twitter.com/g6lCANat3u</a>

WeRateDogs @dog_rates
Despite Ueno's absence, Hachi continued to wait for him at the station every day. He bounced between homes, including some miles from Shibuya, before settling with Ueno's former gardener. No matter the distance, Hachi returned to the station daily to wait patiently for his owner. <a href="https://t.co/tfP031wJMe">pic.twitter.com/tfP031wJMe</a>

Chandler and McGregor were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 in 2023, and this fight has been in the works for quite some time. Alas, it appears Chandler will have to wait even longer now.

It's no surprise that Makhachev has some beef with McGregor. He's been coached by former UFC champion and undefeated fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, who had a blood feud with McGregor when the two were both active.

It's unclear what's next for Makhachev, who is 26-1 lifetime and has now successfully defended his belt three times. He's done all he can in the lightweight division, and it's fair to wonder whether he'd be best deserved with a move up in weight class.

He told Zac Pacleb of UFC.com: "Honestly, I think it's my opinion, (I'm) almost done with my division because who is going to be next? Just Arman (Tsarukyan)," he said. "I already beat (him), and, in my division, I don't have some interesting fight (or) too exciting fights for me."

Makhachev's already the UFC's top pound-for-pound fighter as well, so any opponent is going to have a tough time with him. In the meantime, he's offering his opinions on other fights and foes as he considers his next move.

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