Islam Makhachev has repeatedly drawn attention to what he calls the "construction chaos" plaguing Dagestan, particularly in Makhachkala. Seventeen days ago, amid severe flooding in the region, Makhachev called on regional leadership to address the uncontrolled building boom, stating that Makhachkala has turned into one massive chaotic construction site. Recently, he reposted content from geographer Dmitry Koryukhin, a school teacher in Dagestan, who shared aerial photos illustrating what he described as an urban catastrophe. Makhachev's posts highlight low-quality residential complexes built too close together, illegal construction, and multi-story buildings erected despite stagnant or declining populations in many Russian cities. The champion has been praised for using his platform to spotlight this regional issue.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has stepped outside the cage to speak on an issue close to home, using his social media platform to criticize what he describes as rampant "construction chaos" devastating Dagestan, and particularly its capital Makhachkala.
Makhachev first raised the issue seventeen days ago during a period of severe flooding in the region, calling on local leadership to confront an uncontrolled building boom he says has turned Makhachkala into one massive, disorganized construction site. He has since continued amplifying the message, most recently reposting content from Dmitry Koryukhin, a Dagestani school teacher and geographer, who shared aerial photography depicting what he characterized as an urban catastrophe. The images highlight low-quality residential complexes built in dangerously close proximity to one another, illegal construction activity, and multi-story buildings going up in cities where populations are stagnant or declining.
The 34-year-old Russian fighter holds a 28-1-0 professional record and is currently ranked as the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Competing out of Eagles MMA and fighting out of a southpaw stance, Makhachev stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He has earned widespread recognition not only for his dominance inside the octagon — where he lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate and averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes — but increasingly for the way he has leveraged his profile on broader public issues.
Why it matters
- Makhachev is one of the most recognizable athletes to come out of Dagestan, giving his voice significant regional and national reach
- The posts connect a public health and infrastructure crisis — highlighted by recent flooding — to longer-term urban planning failures
- His willingness to challenge regional authorities signals an unusual use of athlete celebrity in Russian public discourse
- The champion has drawn praise for drawing sustained attention to the issue rather than making a single isolated comment
