Islam Makhachev Questions Validity of His Taekwondo Black Belt

Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion, humorously remarked that his recently awarded taekwondo black belt might not pass inspection. He received this promotion from Seifulla Magomedov, a four-time European taekwondo champion and his coach.

Makhachev expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of the belt, referring to it as a gift rather than something he earned. This comment reflects his previous critiques regarding the credibility of jiu-jitsu black belts, suggesting that many are awarded without adequate scrutiny.

Currently, Makhachev boasts a professional record of 28 wins and 1 loss. He made history with four successful lightweight title defenses before transitioning to welterweight, where he claimed the title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. His first title defense in the welterweight division is scheduled against Ian Garry on August 15 at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.