Although he’s not as flamboyant as Conor McGregor, we can certainly claim that Islam Makhachev is one of the biggest stars in the UFC right now. His credentials are well known and his record is there to suffice it. But the more public his professional career is, the more Makhachev keeps a rather low profile when it comes to his private life, especially his spouse and children.
A lot of Islam Makhachev’s friends from Dagestan have penetrated the sport of MMA, with many of them fighting at the highest levels. He’s always seen by fans training with them, but never with his family. But guess what? The Dagestani phenom is married and a video of him getting married a couple of years ago went viral on the internet.
Islam Makhachev celebrated his wedding with his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov
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The reigning lightweight crown holder refrains from sharing any pictures of his spouse on social media. In actuality, that seems to be a common theme among the Dagestani fighters. However, some footage from his wedding offered us an opportunity to have a glimpse of what the lightweight champion’s wife looks like.
The marriage took place the year Khabib Nurmagomedov retired as a competitor, which was in 2021. And ‘The Eagle’ was also there to celebrate his protégé’s auspicious occasion at the wedding. More than one video can be found on various social media platforms of the stills from Islam Makhachev’s wedding, where his Dagestani MMA compatriots, including Zubaira Tukhugov and former fighter Shamil Zavurov, also joined the festivities.
However, we lack any information about Islam Makhachev’s wife’s name. Sharing information about family members isn’t a common practice in Makhachev’s community. But from viewing some interviews he had in the past, the champion did confirm that he also has a daughter.
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Lightweight champion remembered his daughter after winning the belt at UFC 280
Islam Makhachev has not revealed the number of children he has with his wife but has been seen somewhere in the AKA gym seated while holding one on his lap. Notwithstanding that particular child not being his own biological offspring, it was only an instance of babysitting by Makhachev. What was reported was him having a daughter, which he opened up about at the time when he overcame Charles Oliveira to become the undisputed 155-pound champion.
Apparently, it was hard for him to see his daughter grow up as he actively competed while traveling across the globe. “Last couple [of] months, I watched the video [of] how my daughter [is] grow[ing] up without me. But after [a] couple [of] days, I’m gonna be home,” said Islam Makhachev at the post-fight pressers following the biggest win of his career.
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Even though UFC 280 was a massive triumph for Islam Makhachev, a triumph at UFC 302 could be an even bigger accolade for the Dagestan native. It’s only because Dustin Poirier is actually an approved legend in this sport by fans and renowned MMA figures. What prediction do you have for the next title defense of Makhachev?