“Today is history. We beat Khabib’s team. For everybody, it’s just a game. But for our team, this is a fight. Today we won.” These were the exact words of Islam Makhachev after he won his soccer match against Khabib Nurmagomedov just before his UFC 302 fight. Beyond the world of takedowns and title defenses, the soon-to-be former lightweight champion carries a deep passion for the sport. Growing up in Dagestan, a region where both combat sports and football run deep in the veins of its people, Makhachev developed a strong connection to the beautiful game early in life.

While wrestling became his professional path, football remained a constant hobby and personal escape. In interviews and social media glimpses, Makhachev’s admiration for football is evident. He often watches major matches, cheers for his favorite teams, and even kicks the ball around during training breaks. It’s not just a pastime for him—it’s a way to connect with teammates, unwind, and keep his footwork sharp. However, it seems this time, Makhachev was on the losing side as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena.

Magomed Shamil took to his Instagram account to share a story where the champion was seen visibly upset after most probably losing his match. The captions in the post read as, “@zaur_efendiev077 Been neutral, @islam makhache@zainukov_makkasharip Today they will look for excuses, @ Islam_mamedov Today was unstoppable.” During the video, “Shamil can be heard saying( after Translation), “What did you miss? Where is Shara? It’s scary. We scored one more today. Shara, what did you miss today? That’s it. Let him take it home. Let him tell everyone at home that he scored through himself.  Islam, what did you miss yesterday?” 

Well, for Makhachev, losing a soccer match shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Rather, he is more focused on winning his fight against the new welterweight champion, Maddalena. The Dagestani fighter is setting his sights on accomplishing something that even his legendary mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, never achieved during his Hall of Fame career. For him, it’s more than just chasing history—it’s a tribute to the legacy of his late coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. But former UFC champion Chael Sonnen feels he has not made the right decision by moving to a new weight class. 

Chael Sonnen reveals the real reason behind Islam Makhachev’s welterweight move

Islam Makhachev’s decision to go for a second belt has filled the fans with excitement. But that decision came at a price. The Dagestani was forced to relinquish the lightweight title. The same title that he had valiantly defended a record four times. This particular move stirred controversy and opened the floodgates to criticism. One of the loudest voices? Chael Sonnen. Never one to mince words, Sonnen unleashed a bold and biting claim—one that no doubt stung fans of the Dagestani star. So, what exactly did he say? ‘The American Gangster’ didn’t hold back in a recent Instagram post, taking aim at Islam Makhachev for what he called a clear attempt to dodge Ilia Topuria.

In Sonnen’s eyes, the move wasn’t just strategic—it was a blatant effort to steer clear of a dangerous challenger. He made sure to let everyone know exactly how he felt and said, “Islam did everything you could conceivably do to not fight Ilia, including leave the division, including leave the championship,”. In the eyes of the former UFC fighter, the Dagestani didn’t step up to face a new test at welterweight—he stepped out of one at lightweight. Rather than embracing the threat of an undefeated and dangerous contender, Sonnen argued, he chose to walk away, leaving unfinished business behind in a division he once ruled.

What do you feel about the claims made by Chael Sonnen? Did Islam Makhachev purposely avoid the challenge of Ilia Topuria? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.