Islam Makhachev had his luggage stolen during a trip to Italy, with the bag containing boots from footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the stolen items. His passport was also taken but was later returned. The post references a previous comment from Khabib Nurmagomedov about not reading books about Sicilians, making a cultural reference to the incident. Details about when this occurred or other specifics about the robbery are limited in the post.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev found himself the victim of theft during a recent trip to Italy, losing a piece of luggage that contained a pair of boots gifted to him by Georgian football star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His passport was also taken in the incident, though it was subsequently recovered and returned to him.
Makhachev, 34, is currently the reigning welterweight champion and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Eagles MMA, carries a record of 28-1-0 and has built his reputation as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes. His connection to the Dagestani combat sports community runs deep, and the incident drew a wry remark online referencing a previous quip from teammate and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov about not reading books about Sicilians — a nod to the cultural weight of where the theft reportedly took place.
Why it matters
- The loss of Kvaratskhelia's boots carries personal significance, as the gift represented a cross-sport connection between two high-profile athletes from the Caucasus region
- The passport theft and recovery adds a more serious dimension to what might otherwise seem a minor travel inconvenience for a world champion
- The Khabib reference highlights the tight-knit nature of the Dagestani sporting community and their shared sense of humor around the episode
Specific details surrounding the timing and exact circumstances of the robbery remain limited based on what has been publicly shared.
