Islam Makhachev was robbed while traveling in Italy, with his baggage stolen. Among the stolen items were boots belonging to footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Makhachev's passport was also taken but was later returned. The post references a humorous comment from Khabib about not reading books about Sicilians. Details beyond the theft itself are limited in the post. No information is provided about the circumstances of the robbery or whether other possessions were recovered.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev had his baggage stolen while traveling in Italy, the fighter revealed in a social media post dated April 12. Among the items taken were a pair of boots belonging to Napoli footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Makhachev's passport was also taken during the incident, though it was subsequently returned to him. Full details surrounding the circumstances of the theft remain unclear, and it is unknown whether any other stolen possessions were recovered.
Makhachev, 34, holds a record of 28 wins and 1 loss and currently reigns as welterweight champion, also sitting at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Dagestan native trains out of Eagles MMA and competes as a southpaw out of a five-foot-ten frame with a 70-inch reach. Inside the octagon he is regarded as one of the most technically complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
The post also included a lighthearted reference to a comment from Makhachev's longtime teammate and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, who joked about not reading books on Sicilians — an apparent nod to the location of the theft and the cultural lore surrounding it.
Why it matters
- Makhachev is the reigning welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, making any news surrounding him noteworthy for the division.
- The passport theft, even with its reported return, raises questions about any potential disruption to the champion's travel or training schedule, though no such impact has been reported.
- The connection to Kvaratskhelia adds an unusual cross-sport element to the story, reflecting Makhachev's growing profile beyond MMA circles.
