Islam Makhachev is a Dagestani-Russian fighter who is among the most recognized mixed martial arts athletes in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) lightweight class, and he is known for impeccable grappling skills and striking abilities. Coming from such an important family background has greatly helped shape not just his character but also his career. The family background of Makhachev gives away quite a bit to the viewer in terms of his belief system, work ethic, and most importantly, the armory from which support he derives in support of his character reaching the peak.
Table of Contents
1. Immediate Family
I DON’T FIGHT FOR THE MONEY. I FIGHT FOR MY LEGACY, I FIGHT FOR HISTORY. I FIGHT FOR MY PEOPLE. ISLAM MAKHACHEV
Parents: From a sports family, Abdulmanap Makhachev, better known as a good coach, contributed to shaping Surf Islam’s career in MMA ( mixed martial arts). Amina Makhacheva is known to have contributed to supporting her son in his sporting career.
Siblings: Islam has grown into many athlete siblings though not on the level of his father’s direct influence on him.
2. Cultural Background
“NEXT FIGHT, IT HAS TO BE FOR THE TITLE OR [A NO. 1] CONTENDER FIGHT. I HAVE NINE-FIGHT WIN STREAK… I FEEL MY DIVISION A LITTLE BIT SLEEP NOW. I HAVE TO WAKE UP MY DIVISION.”
-ISLAM MAKHACHEV
Ethnicity: Islam Makhachev is of the Avar nationality, the ethnic group in the Dagestan region of Russia. The Avar culture honors and gives importance to the wrestling and martial arts within its community.
Traditions: The Avar culture is characterized by honoring, respecting, and maintaining strong family ties. These values influence Makhachev’s personal perspective on life and sports. He started his journey with the taekwondo. This led him to success in his career.
Influence of His Father
“What does this title represent? It means you’re the best in the world and if you’re the best in the world it doesn’t matter who is standing across from you. What do i say? No? Never. Let’s do this.”
ISLAM MAKHACHEV
Coaching Legacy: Abdulmanap Makhachev, father and coach of many Dagestani fighters, was instrumental to UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. His methods and philosophies served to strongly influence the fighting dynamics and stringent disciplines of Islam.
Loss of Father: Abdulmanap was struck down by unwanted complications in July 2020 stemming from COVID-19. Islam regarded it as a most unfortunate situation and promised his father that he would keep his head held high in achieving greatness for the two of them inside the octagon.
DON’T CALL ME
LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION.
CALL ME POUND-FOR-POUND
BEST FICHTER!” islam makhachev
4. Personal Life
Marriage: By early 2025, Islam Makhachev was reported married. However, getting details about his wife would be a tough job because he has a history of keeping his personal life very private.
Children: Very little is known about any possible children he might have, and they are hardly ever talked about. Talk that he had 3 children, 2 boys, and one girl. The girl being the oldest among 3.
THE FIGHT WASN’T THAT EASY, BUT HE’S NOT SOME GUY FROM THE STREET, HE WAS THE BEST IN THE WORLD.-Islam Makhachev
5. Support System
Training Partners: Aside from his family, Islam has cultivated good relationships with fellow fighters and training partners, all of whom form part of his extended family within the MMA community. These provide him with both emotional support and competitive camaraderie.
The family of Islam Makhachev plays a significant role in shaping his identity as both a fighter and as a person: with his father being a guiding force as a coach and mentor, and his cultural values as a legacy of their Avar people.
Aditya Khare