When you watch Islam Makhachev dominate inside the UFC octagon, it’s hard not to wonder — where does this guy actually live and train?
He seems to pop up everywhere: one month he’s in the mountains of Dagestan, the next he’s fighting under the bright lights of Abu Dhabi.
In this article, we’ll break down where Islam Makhachev lives and trains today, how he splits his time between Dagestan and the UAE, and why his training setup is one of the best in the world.
Let’s dive in — because understanding where and how a fighter prepares gives valuable insight into why he’s nearly unbeatable.
Where Does Islam Makhachev Live?
As of 2025, Islam Makhachev lives primarily in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia — his hometown and the capital city of the republic.
He’s never been the type to relocate permanently to the U.S. or Europe like many other fighters. Islam has always preferred the familiar environment of Dagestan’s mountains, family life, and disciplined training culture.
However, that doesn’t mean he spends the entire year there. He splits his time between:
-
Makhachkala, Dagestan (Russia) — his home base for early training camps and off-seasons.
-
Abu Dhabi, UAE — his preferred international training and fight preparation hub.
-
Occasional U.S. training trips, mainly to American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California.
This combination gives him the best of all worlds — the toughness of Dagestan, the elite facilities of Abu Dhabi, and the world-class coaching of AKA.
️ Dagestan — The Foundation of His Training
Islam’s roots are in Burtunay village and Makhachkala, both in Dagestan. This region is famous for producing champions — Khabib Nurmagomedov, Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Umar Nurmagomedov all hail from here.
The region’s fighting culture is unique. Kids grow up wrestling on mats in community halls and outdoor gyms surrounded by the Caucasus mountains. That harsh environment builds grit, cardio, and humility — three of Islam’s biggest weapons.
In Dagestan, Islam trains at Khabib’s Eagles MMA gym, where he leads training sessions with other elite fighters under Khabib’s supervision.
When he’s in his hometown:
-
His mornings start with cardio in the mountains (running or hiking).
-
Midday focuses on grappling and wrestling drills.
-
Evenings are for technical sparring and striking practice.
There’s no glamour here — no fancy facilities, no media. Just hard work, discipline, and isolation. That’s why Islam often calls Dagestan “the best place to build champions.”
Why Islam Makhachev Trains in Abu Dhabi
Islam Makhachev spends large portions of his fight camps in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
There are a few reasons:
-
UFC’s partnership with Abu Dhabi — Many of his title fights take place there.
-
Climate and logistics — The warm weather and time zone make it ideal for weight cuts and media obligations before events.
-
Top-tier facilities — He trains at the UFC Gym Abu Dhabi and Jumeirah’s elite private gyms, which feature advanced recovery and conditioning equipment.
-
Cultural comfort — The UAE feels like home to Dagestani fighters — shared faith, respectful fans, and a strong MMA community.
When you see Islam’s training footage from Abu Dhabi, it’s a mix of high-end conditioning, tactical sparring, and open sessions with other champions who visit for major UFC cards.
Abu Dhabi has effectively become his second home — a professional base where he fine-tunes his fight camp under Khabib’s direct coaching.
American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) — The Global Connection
Though Islam rarely stays long in the United States now, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California, remains part of his extended training network.
AKA is where both Khabib and Islam sharpened their skills early in their UFC careers. Coaches like Javier Mendez and Leandro Vieira helped refine their wrestling-to-striking transitions and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Makhachev still visits AKA occasionally, especially when preparing for unique opponents or training with Western-style sparring partners. The gym’s environment offers:
-
High-level sparring with diverse styles.
-
Modern sports science tools for strength and conditioning.
-
Familiar faces — it’s where Khabib’s entire legacy was built.
Even when he’s in Dagestan or Abu Dhabi, Coach Javier Mendez stays in touch virtually, coordinating strategy and reviewing fight footage with him and Khabib.
So, while Dagestan made him, AKA polished him into a complete MMA fighter.
What His Typical Training Camp Looks Like
To understand how Makhachev maintains dominance, it helps to visualize his typical 8–10 week training camp before a title defense.
Here’s what it roughly includes:
Week 1–3: Foundation (Dagestan)
-
Focus: Wrestling, strength base, and cardio building.
-
Environment: High altitude runs, mountain sprints, and heavy grappling.
-
Objective: Build endurance and reestablish timing after the break.
Week 4–7: Technical sharpening (Abu Dhabi)
-
Focus: Strategy, sparring, and drilling opponent-specific game plans.
-
Partners: Other Dagestani fighters, elite grapplers, and strikers flown in from Russia or Europe.
-
Objective: Rehearse fight flow and test scenarios.
Week 8–10: Taper and media week
-
Focus: Weight cut, recovery, and tactical review.
-
Location: Usually stays in Abu Dhabi to adjust to event time zone.
-
Objective: Arrive fight night at peak form — mentally calm and physically recovered.
This schedule has become his champion formula — a blend of mountain grit and world-class modern preparation.
Why He Avoids Moving to the U.S. Full-Time
Islam has been open about why he never permanently moved to the United States.
He values family, faith, and simplicity, which are easier to maintain in Dagestan and the UAE.
In his words, he prefers a life “close to my people and my coach.”
While he respects the American MMA scene, his identity is deeply rooted in Dagestani values — discipline, loyalty, and humility. That’s why even after becoming a millionaire champion, he still returns home to his modest gym in Makhachkala.
The Secret Behind His Dominance
It’s not just where he trains — it’s how.
Islam’s camps are known for:
-
Small circles – only trusted teammates and coaches.
-
Zero distractions – limited media, no party lifestyle.
-
Faith-centered routine – prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and spiritual discipline.
-
Repetition-based drills – repeating positions thousands of times until flawless.
That combination of mental calm and technical repetition is the secret sauce behind his consistency.
Final Thoughts
So, where does Islam Makhachev live and train now?
He still lives in Makhachkala, Dagestan, returning there between fights to stay grounded. But when it’s time to prepare for a big event, he moves his camp to Abu Dhabi, training under Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance at world-class facilities.
This dual setup — Dagestan’s discipline and Abu Dhabi’s luxury — gives him the perfect balance of toughness and technology.
That’s why every time he steps into the octagon, he looks composed, sharp, and ready. He’s not just training — he’s perfecting a system built by one of the most successful fighting regions on the planet.
Further Reading:
- How Much Islam Makhachev Make per fight?
- UFC Betting Sites Canada
- Why did Islam Makhachev get Suspended?
