Islam
Makhachev showed off his fishing skills ahead of his maiden
title defense at welterweight in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Before facing Ian Garry
(17-1) at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia,
Makhachev (28-1) has been enjoying his off-time while based in New
Jersey. While he frequently fishes back in his home country and
while doing training camps in the United States, the Russian’s
resolve was recently tested by a shark.
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Islam Makhachev reels in shark before UFC 330 clash with Ian
Machado Garry
Makhachev has now done two training camps on the East Coast, with
New Jersey serving as the Dagestani’s team’s base. Notably, the
former lightweight champ did his training camp in Jersey last year
ahead of the welterweight title-winning effort against Jack
Della Maddalena in New York. Fishing has emerged as one of his
favorite pastimes when he isn’t training.
The latest episode of the UFC’s “Embedded” video series on YouTube
followed Makhachev and some of his teammates fishing by the
coastline. In the video, Makhachev is seen using a large fishing
rod before eventually reeling in a shark. His segment ends with the
champion posing for a picture while jokingly bemoaning that he has
to train the following day after being pushed to the limit by the
shark.
He addressed his hobby in the first episode of “Embedded” as well,
proudly showcasing his fishing rod.