UFC lightweight champion 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.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has added a new credential to his martial arts resume, receiving a black belt in taekwondo from his coach Seyfulla Magomedov.
Magomedov, who presented the belt to his fighter, is no ordinary instructor in the discipline. The coach holds a decorated record in taekwondo, having claimed four European championship titles and earned medals at the world championships on four occasions.
Makhachev, 34, enters this milestone as one of the most dominant fighters on the planet. The Russian southpaw carries a 28-1-0 professional record and holds the pound-for-pound number one ranking, competing out of Eagles MMA. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, he has built his reputation primarily through elite grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His striking has also developed considerably, with an accuracy rate of 58 percent and 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute.
Why it matters
- Makhachev already holds high-level credentials in sambo and wrestling; adding a taekwondo black belt broadens his formal striking foundation
- The recognition comes from a coach with elite competitive pedigree in the discipline, giving the award meaningful context
- For a champion operating at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, continued cross-training investment signals an ongoing commitment to expanding his skill set
