Islam Makhachev is a man of many talents and is competitive even outside the octagon. Makhachev loves motocross and adventure sports, having been raised in the farms, hills and natural beauty of Dagestan. However, there is a racket sport that he plays so passionately amongst friends that he can get them injured in it.
That sport is none other than padel. While injuring someone in a sport like soccer is not uncommon in an amateur game, too, Islam getting a friend busted open in padel is shocking.
“And they said Padel is a safe sport,” Islam joked on his official Instagram account.
Interestingly, fans flocked to the comments, joking, “That is exactly what happens when you send someone 2-3 years Dagestan“. Others had more technical advice.
“When they say “get in front of the ball” that’s not what they mean”, someone said with a laughing emoji. Another joined in claiming Dagestanis just hit different – no pun intended. ” “You thought Padel ball was safe? This is Dagestani Padel bratha! It’s different level!” he added.
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Yet to book his return to action for the first time since a statement win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January, the lightweight champion has been having a gala time in his hometown of Makhachkala. He has been tending to his horses, too.
But it isn’t just in padel where Makhachev has trumped or annoyed his friends. Khabib Nurmagomedov was also at the receiving end of Islam’s soccer skills.
When Makhachev played soccer with Khabib
Notably, ahead of his UFC 302 return last summer, Makhachev took home a stunning victory over Nurmagomedov on the soccer field. Engaging in a friendly wager, in which the loser of the match would have to pay the tab at their next meal, Makhachev’s team prevailed.
“Today is history. We beat Khabib’s team. For everybody it’s just a game,” Makhachev explained. “But for our team, this is a fight. Today we won.” he posted with joy.
Khabib, at the time, didn’t day much but anyone with the knowledge of his passion for the beautiful game understand just how furious he would have been at the time.
In fact, back in the day, if he had the opportunity, the 29-0 fighter would have taken up soccer since he preferred the sport to MMA. In an interview from 2021, he had said, “Soccer for me is the no.1 sport. I dreamed of becoming a soccer player when I was little. Watching it all the time.”
Elaborating on his reasons for saying so, the former champ had added, “Soccer is better, you don’t have to kick people to hurt them. You just go out in the field and show what a great player and professional you are. That’s also a hardworking sport… No matter how long I follow soccer I don’t get tired of it.”
Well, since retiring, that’s mostly what he’s been doing, playing at home and attending the biggest fixtures around the world. Having previously been present at Old Trafford and Anfield, Khabib was last seen in Paris as PSG booted Liverpool out of the UEFA Champion’s League.
