Islam Makhachev is arguably one of the most fascinating figures in MMA. While his UFC resume already includes two-division championship glory and a record-breaking 17-fight winning streak, his life outside the Octagon is just as active and adrenaline-fueled.
When he isn’t beating opponents inside the cage, the Dagestani can often be seen taking on a completely different kind of challenge on his social media pages. Makhachev is a huge fan of mountain biking and Enduro dirt biking, and he regularly shares videos of himself navigating steep climbs, rocky terrain, and even crossing raging mountain rivers in Dagestan.
Makhachev also owns a massive farm in the remote village of Burshi, which is home to nearly 1,000 animals, including sheep, deer, and a large stable. However, his deepest bond outside of MMA appears to be with his horses. The UFC star frequently posts clips of himself racing them at full speed, with the horses reportedly reaching speeds of up to 38 mph.
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This time, however, Makhachev has decided to take on a more laid-back challenge, one that will require considerably less adrenaline and a lot more time with a pen and paper. The reigning UFC welterweight champion has decided to continue his education and has enrolled in a master’s program.
Islam Makhachev Expands His Focus Beyond the UFC With New Ventures
While the Dagestani still has plenty left to accomplish in his UFC career, Makhachev is looking to broaden his skills outside of MMA as well. It was recently announced that the UFC welterweight champion has enrolled in a master’s degree program at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Dubai.
A post on the university’s website read, “Plekhanov University proudly welcomes UFC champion Islam Makhachev to its community as a master’s student, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his journey defined by ambition, discipline, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
It continued with, “Makhachev reminds us that a person’s strength is measured not by what they’ve already achieved, but by whether they’re ready to become a student again. This powerful step distinguishes those who remain at the top from those who simply ascended to it once.”
The post concluded with, “For Plekhanov University, this is not just a prominent name on the student list, but an example of the values we share: discipline, responsibility, and the desire to grow. We wish Islam Makhachev success both in his studies and in his career ahead.”
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For the uninitiated, Makhachev already holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports from Dagestan State University. He managed to balance his undergraduate studies with freestyle wrestling, combat sambo training under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and working night shifts as a security guard.
Now, Makhachev is set to continue his studies at an institution founded in 1907 that also ranks among the top 500 universities in the QS World University Rankings.
Makhachev has already revealed plans to defend his welterweight title before Ramadan, but this latest education venture adds another interesting chapter to the UFC champion’s already eventful life.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
