Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev have a fierce history inside the Octagon. Makhachev won both of their 2023 fights, taking a close decision at UFC 284 in Perth and a first-round knockout at UFC 294 eight months later.
While losing twice to the same opponent would breed bitter animosity for most fighters, things have taken an unexpectedly wholesome turn between the two pound-for-pound greats. The 38-year-old Australian recently shared that he is planning a horseback hunting trip with Makhachev in the mountains of Dagestan.
Alexander Volkanovski Plans Horseback Hunting Trip With Islam Makhachev
Volkanovski defends his UFC featherweight title against the undefeated Movsar Evloev (20-0) in the main event of UFC 333 this Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The Australian champion enters the bout with a 28-4 record after defeating Diego Lopes in their UFC 325 rematch.
Even with fight week underway, “The Great” is looking past the cage toward an outdoor trip with his former rival. During a recent interview, Nina Drama asked Volkanovski about things he still wants to accomplish outside the octagon. He revealed plans to go horseback hunting in Dagestan, the home region of lightweight champion Makhachev.
According to Volkanovski, Makhachev originally suggested the idea, and the two have already discussed the details. The trip will involve shooting bows and arrows from horseback in the mountains and filming a collaborative episode of Volkanovski’s YouTube cooking show.
“We’ve already chatted to Islam about it,” Volkanovski said. “Yeah, we’re going to do it. We’re going to go to Dagestan, the mountains there, and horseback hunting. And then we’ll do cooking with Volk while we’re there.”
Alexander Volkanovski reveals he’s planning to go horseback hunting in the mountains of Dagestan with Islam Makhachev 👀🐎
(Via @Ninadrama / YT) https://t.co/1vw2Yi15TE
— Title Fight (@TitleFightMedia) October 22, 2026
Nina Drama praised the trip idea, but Volkanovski has not shared when they will actually go. His YouTube series, “Cooking with Volk,” has previously featured high-profile UFC figures like Israel Adesanya. A Dagestan episode would mark the first time he collaborates with a former opponent who beat him.
They have already brainstormed ideas for the video. Instead of the bland fight-week meals his nutrition team usually prepares, Makhachev wants to cook a massive deer caught fresh from the mountains or a sheep from his personal farm.
In August, when Makhachev insisted that a quick two- or three-day visit would not be enough, he told Volkanovski he needed to stay for at least two to three weeks and bring his entire family.
Makhachev even joked that Volkanovski shouldn’t repeat what Demetrious Johnson told him regarding his wife. Warning him about checking in for permission, Makhachev jokingly told Volkanovski, “Don’t say, ‘Demetrious Johnson told me in the last interview I have to ask my wife.’ You have to tell her, but not ask!”
Islam Makhachev convinced Alexander Volkanovski to come to Dagestan for 2–3 weeks, but told him not to say what DJ told him 😂🏔️
“Don’t say, ‘Demetrious Johnson told me in the last interview I have to ask my wife.'”
via: @MainEventTV https://t.co/fvDLZd5vmJ
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) August 12, 2026
However, the plan remains on hold as “The Great” approaches his title fight with Evloev. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes matchmaking is already heating up for UFC 336 in January, where the promotion is reportedly working to build Makhachev’s next title defense.
