Makhachev Throws Towel for Magomedov After Shoulder Injury
Islam Makhachev threw in the towel for Magomed Magomedov at PFL Tampa after a dislocated shoulder against Daniel Marcos.
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UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev threw in the towel while cornering Magomed Magomedov at PFL Tampa after Magomedov dislocated his shoulder in a fight with Daniel Marcos. Makhachev, fresh off his unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 earlier this month in Philadelphia, was working Magomedov's corner when the injury happened and ultimately made the call to stop the fight.
Magomedov dislocated the shoulder during an exchange with Marcos, a UFC veteran. Between rounds, Makhachev attempted to pop the joint back into place by pulling on Magomedov's arm, an effort that did not work. Magomedov still came out for the third round, but the shoulder gave out again and Makhachev threw in the towel just 11 seconds in.
The loss drops Magomedov to 22-6 overall and 2-2 since joining PFL. The former Bellator standout has struggled to find his footing in the promotion's new format after building his reputation in Bellator's cage.
What Makhachev's Corner Role Says About His Standing in the Sport
Makhachev showing up to work Magomedov's corner just weeks after headlining UFC 330 is a reminder of how deep the ties run between Dagestani fighters across promotions, even when those promotions compete directly with the UFC for eyeballs. It is not unusual to see a champion of Makhachev's stature step away from his own training and title defense schedule to corner a countryman, but the injury turned what should have been a routine assist into the story of the night. Makhachev's instinct to try to manually reduce the dislocation between rounds is a common corner impulse, though it did not work here and the shoulder went again once Magomedov returned to the cage.
For Magomedov, the setback is a significant blow to his momentum in PFL. Going 2-2 in the promotion after arriving with a heavy Bellator resume puts him in a tough spot heading into whatever the promotion has planned next for its welterweight or lightweight mix, and a shoulder injury of this kind typically means real recovery time before he can get back in the cage.
Elsewhere on the PFL Tampa card, Cris Cyborg got past fellow UFC export Ketlen Vieira, who missed weight by a wide margin, in the five-round main event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Islam Makhachev throw in the towel at PFL Tampa?
Islam Makhachev threw in the towel while cornering Magomed Magomedov at PFL Tampa because Magomedov had dislocated his shoulder in his fight against Daniel Marcos and could not continue safely into the third round.
What is Magomed Magomedov's record after PFL Tampa?
Magomed Magomedov fell to 22-6 overall and 2-2 in PFL after his loss to Daniel Marcos at PFL Tampa.
Was Islam Makhachev fighting at PFL Tampa?
No, Islam Makhachev was not competing at PFL Tampa. He was there working the corner for Magomed Magomedov, just weeks after retaining his UFC welterweight title with a decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
