Islam Makhachev showed he can compete in any combat sport, including a basketball and wrestling hybrid.
The current UFC welterweight champion was part of the team representing the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov MMA School in a Wrestball tournament in Dagestan. In one of their matchups, Makhachev’s squad took on Tarki Tau and the highlights added up throughout the matchup on both sides of the ball for Makhachev.
Check out some of the highlights below.
Makhachev began his 2025 campaign scheduled to defend the UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, but an injury scratched the No. 1 contender the day before the event. Makhachev finished short-notice opponent Renato Moicano in the first round in what would be his final defense.
From there, Makhachev vacated the title — now held by Ilia Topuria — for a move up to welterweight, where he dominated Jack Della Maddalena over five rounds at UFC 322 in November to become the 11th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two different divisions.
