“He Have Shark Next Week!” - Khabib Nurmagomedov Baffled by Islam Makhachev’s Fight Week Shark Fishing

Fight week in the UFC is usually reserved for strict weight cuts, final strategy sessions, and media obligations. Leave it to Islam Makhachev, however, to squeeze in a deep-sea angling adventure right before stepping into the Octagon.

Ahead of his highly anticipated main event defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, the reigning champion decided to spend some downtime reeling in an actual shark off the New Jersey coastline. While fight fans thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected footage featured on UFC Embedded, one person was far from amused: former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

No Room for Sharks on Fight Week, Says Khabib

Nurmagomedov, who currently serves as Makhachev’s head mentor and cornerman, could not quite understand why his star pupil was wrestling saltwater beasts days before a high-stakes title fight. When asked about Makhachev’s aquatic outing, "The Eagle" voiced his utter disbelief with his signature Dagestani directness and humor.

“What he was doing? He have shark next week, not this week. Have to wait,” Nurmagomedov questioned, clearly baffled that Makhachev risked unnecessary hand fatigue or injury catching a shark instead of saving all his physical energy for competition.

For Makhachev, getting out on the water is just another way to relax between grueling workouts. The 34-year-old pound-for-pound star comes into the bout holding an elite 28-1 professional record, built on the back of a dominant 16-fight winning streak.

That winning run ties legendary UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva for the longest consecutive win streak in company history. A victory against Garry would break the long-standing record and further cement Makhachev's legacy.

Still, Nurmagomedov believes the fishing rod should stay stowed away until after the final bell. The American Kickboxing Academy veteran wants his fighter completely dialed in, especially when facing a top contender like Garry, who holds a strong 17-1 record and plenty of knockout power.

Wrestling a heavy, thrashing predator out on the Atlantic Ocean right before making weight might create great viral content for YouTube, but in Nurmagomedov’s head, business must always come first. 

Makhachev ultimately safely reeled in the shark and returned to fight week duties completely unharmed. However, he might want to double-check his itinerary before planning his next fishing trip with Nurmagomedov around.