Islam Makhachev was robbed during a trip to Italy, with thieves stealing his luggage which included soccer boots belonging to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The thieves also took Makhachev's passport, though it was later returned. The post humorously referenced Khabib Nurmagomedov's advice about not reading books about Sicilians. No further details about the circumstances of the theft or Makhachev's response were provided in the brief announcement. The incident occurred during what appears to have been a personal trip to Italy.
UFC pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev had an unwelcome brush with crime during a personal trip to Italy, after thieves made off with his luggage — including a pair of soccer boots belonging to Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Makhachev's passport was also taken in the incident, though it was subsequently recovered and returned to him.
Makhachev, 34, is currently the reigning champion at welterweight and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings with a record of 28-1-0. The Dagestan-born fighter trains out of Eagles MMA and has built his dominance on a smothering combination of grappling and precise striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes — one of the higher accuracy marks in the sport.
Adding a lighter touch to the story, the announcement referenced a remark from Khabib Nurmagomedov — Makhachev's longtime mentor and teammate — about not reading books on Sicilians, a nod to the famous caution surrounding dealings in certain parts of Italy. Nurmagomedov, 37, retired undefeated at 29-0-0 and remains a central figure in the Eagles MMA and Fightspirit Team orbit that continues to shape Makhachev's career.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's passport was recovered, so no immediate travel or competition disruption has been reported
- The theft of Kvaratskhelia's boots adds an unusual cross-sport dimension to the incident
- The story offers a rare off-duty glimpse of the pound-for-pound number one away from competition
