Islam Makhachev goes shark fishing during fight week. [Makhachev's social media]
Islam Makhachev goes shark fishing during fight week. [Makhachev's social media]

Khabib Nurmagomedov had a pointed message for Islam Makhachev after his protégé spent part of fight week shark fishing off the New Jersey coast.

Fight week in the UFC is typically reserved for strict weight cuts, final tactical preparations and media obligations. Makhachev is set to defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, scheduled for Sunday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

But with that high-stakes bout just days away, Makhachev carved out time to go fishing — and actually reeled in a sizable shark. The unexpected scene was captured on UFC Embedded and delighted fans.

One person, however, was not amused: former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Now serving as Makhachev's chief mentor and cornerman, Nurmagomedov said he could not understand why his fighter had chosen to wrestle a giant ocean predator mere days before a major title bout.

In a social media post that walked the line between jest and genuine concern, he wrote: "What were you doing? The sharks will still be there next week. You should have waited." The underlying message was clear — an unnecessary injury sustained while shark fishing would be unacceptable.

Makhachev himself has said that heading out to sea is simply another way to decompress between grueling training sessions. He enters the fight with a professional record of 28 wins and one loss, and is chasing his 17th consecutive victory — the most in UFC history.


yjc@heraldcorp.com