Islam Makhachev was robbed while traveling in Italy, with thieves stealing his luggage. Among the stolen items were boots belonging to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian soccer star. The thieves also took Makhachev's passport, though it was later returned. The post references a Khabib quote about not reading books about Sicilians, making a humorous connection to the Italian robbery. Details about when exactly this occurred or other circumstances of the theft are limited in the post.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev had an unwanted travel experience during a trip to Italy, after thieves stole his luggage and made off with several notable items, according to a social media post from the champion.
Among the belongings taken were a pair of boots gifted to Makhachev by Georgian soccer star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, making the theft a particularly personal loss. His passport was also stolen in the incident, though it was subsequently recovered and returned to him. The circumstances surrounding the robbery remain limited, with few additional details made public. Makhachev's post carried a humorous edge, referencing a well-known quote from his teammate and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov about not reading books on Sicilians — a wry nod to the Italian setting of the incident.
Makhachev, 34, represents Russia and trains out of Eagles MMA. The southpaw currently holds a professional record of 28-1-0 and is the reigning champion at 155 pounds, where he also holds the pound-for-pound top ranking. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, he is regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent and 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute.
The robbery does not appear to have any bearing on his competitive schedule, and no official statement beyond the social media reference has been issued regarding the incident.
