Islam Makhachev has repeatedly drawn attention to Dagestan's construction problems, particularly in Makhachkala, which he says has become one chaotic building site. Seventeen days ago, as flooding ravaged Dagestan, Makhachev called on regional leadership to address rampant low-quality housing developments and unauthorized construction. Today he reposted geographer Dmitry Koryukhin, a school teacher in Dagestan, who shared aerial photos illustrating the urban catastrophe. Makhachev's posts highlight poorly planned residential complexes built close together, many standing half-empty despite population stagnation.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has used his public platform to shine a spotlight on a deepening urban crisis in his home region of Dagestan, calling out reckless construction practices as flooding compounds the damage caused by poorly planned development.
Makhachev, 34, is a 28-1 southpaw from Russia who currently holds the welterweight title and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. He trains out of Eagles MMA and is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent. Away from competition, he has increasingly spoken out on issues affecting his home republic.
Seventeen days before this report, as flood waters hit Dagestan, Makhachev took to social media to urge regional leadership to confront the unchecked spread of low-quality housing and unauthorized construction across Makhachkala. He described the regional capital as having descended into one sprawling, chaotic building site. On April 23, he amplified those concerns by reposting content from Dmitry Koryukhin, a Dagestani school teacher and geographer, who shared aerial photographs documenting the scale of the urban disorder.
The images highlighted tightly packed residential complexes, many of them half-empty despite a stagnant local population, underlining what Makhachev characterizes as development driven by poor planning rather than genuine housing need.
Why it matters
- Makhachev is one of the most prominent public figures to emerge from Dagestan, giving his criticism significant reach both inside Russia and internationally.
- The flooding has turned a long-running infrastructure concern into an acute humanitarian issue, adding urgency to calls for regulatory reform.
- His repeated posts suggest a sustained campaign rather than a one-off reaction, signaling he intends to keep pressure on regional authorities.
