Makhachev Throws In Towel After Shoulder Mishap At PFL Tampa

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev stopped a fight 11 seconds into the third round at PFL Tampa after his cornerman suffered a dislocated shoulder that the champ could not reset between rounds.

Makhachev was working the corner for former Bellator fighter Magomed Magomedov when the shoulder popped out during an exchange with UFC veteran Daniel Marcos, MMA Mania reported. Between the second and third frames, the lightweight titleholder attempted to yank the joint back into place — a move that failed and left Magomedov unable to continue past the opening moments of round three.

Why Makhachev's Corner Call Backfired

The incident recalled a similar scene at Bellator 286 in 2022 involving Aaron Pico. Magomedov answered the bell for the third round despite the injury but lasted just 11 seconds before his corner waved off the contest. The loss dropped the 34-year-old to 2-2 under the PFL banner.

Makhachev captured the UFC lightweight belt with a unanimous decision over Ian Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia earlier this month. Elsewhere on the PFL Tampa card, Cris Cyborg outlasted former UFC bantamweight Ketlen Vieira in the main event after Vieira missed weight by a significant margin.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC champ Islam Makhachev forced to throw in the towel after dislocated shoulder in grisly scene at PFL Tampa