Islam Makhachev has received a black belt in taekwondo, presented to him by his coach Seyfulla Magomedov. Magomedov is a four-time European champion and four-time world championship medalist in the discipline.
Islam Makhachev has added a black belt in taekwondo to his growing list of martial arts credentials, with the honor presented to him by coach Seyfulla Magomedov on June 10, 2026.
Magomedov, who awarded the belt, is no casual instructor. A four-time European champion and four-time world championship medalist in taekwondo, he brings elite-level pedigree to Makhachev's training camp at Eagles MMA.
Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight title and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings with a record of 28 wins and one loss. The Russian southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and has built his dominance largely on a suffocating grappling game — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Yet his striking has developed steadily alongside it, with a 58 percent striking accuracy and 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute that reflect a well-rounded and increasingly dangerous standup game.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's striking toolkit now includes formal black-belt-level training under a world-class taekwondo coach, adding a new dimension to an already complete skill set.
- For opponents already wary of his wrestling and submissions, the prospect of polished kicking techniques presents an additional tactical problem.
- The development signals that Makhachev continues to invest seriously in expanding his game at the top of the welterweight division.
