Islam Makhachev Targets Mount Everest and Cites Biggest Difficulty in Making an Attempt

Islam Makhachev reveals his ambition to climb Mount Everest and explains the unique challenge that makes him hesitant to attempt it.

Islam Makhachev Targets Mount Everest and Cites Biggest Difficulty in Making an Attempt

Islam Makhachev reveals desire to climb Mount Everest [Instagram and Britannica]

Islam Makhachev climbed to the top of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings for the second time after beating Jack Della Maddalena and becoming the welterweight champion. He is preparing to defend the welterweight belt for the first time at UFC 330. But as he gears up for this title defense, the Dagestani champion has revealed his desire to scale the tallest summit in the world.

Mount Everest, which is a part of the Himalayas in Nepal, is the tallest mountain in the world with its peak being an incredible 8,848.86 metres high. The climb to the top is incredibly challenging with many experienced climbers losing their lives to the elements. Even locals fear the trek up to the summit, especially in the dreaded “Death Zone”, a brutal region above 8000m where oxygen levels get fatally low.

However, it appears that Makhachev recently spoke to two Dagestanis who successfully made the climb. After this conversation, the double champion acknowledged that every step of the ascent is daunting. But he admitted that the part which intimidates him the most is how climbers manage to balance their safety while still adhering to their religious practices.

I’ve talked to Dagestanis, two people who climbed Mount Everest. They’re walking legends. It’s incredibly hard; every minute is a trial. I always wonder, maybe I’ll climb Everest someday, but the question that comes to my mind is: how do people pray up there, do namaz in that cold? That holds me back. Otherwise, I could do it too.

Islam Makhachev via Adam Zubayraev

As things stand, Islam Makhachev is preparing to defend his welterweight title for the first time at UFC 330 against Ian Garry.

With a formidable challenger like the Irishman on the horizon, it does not seem as if the pound-for-pound king will have the time to scale the world’s tallest mountain.

However, back when the 34-year-old was gearing up for his first defense of the lightweight title, it appeared as if he was about to make the climb.

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The time Islam Makhachev insinuated that he was training for Alexander Volkanovski in Nepal

It is common practice for UFC fighters to train at higher altitudes in order to have better conditioning. It is regarded to improve aerobic performance and endurance for athletes when they return to places with normal elevation. However, ahead of his widely lauded first fight against Alexander Volkanovski, Islam Makhachev seemed to take this kind of training to the next level.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev at the Mount Everest base camp in 2023 [via Instagram]

The then-lightweight champion posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the location being geotagged at the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The Dagestani’s fans could not contain themselves in the comments as they wondered why he had chosen this particular locale. After all, his and Volkanovski’s fight was scheduled to be held in Perth, a city which is at sea level.

Need to stock up on oxygen for five rounds #altitude

Islam Makhachev via Instagram

There aren’t any MMA training facilities at the Everest base camp. Moreover, a special permit is required to even visit the area. Many fans in the comments speculated that this was either an old picture or that Makhachev was simply on vacation in the area. Despite this being 3 years ago, it is unclear whether the double champion actually went there to train or was just him trolling his followers.

Ultimately, he would end up winning his fight against Volk albeit with some controversy and go on to defend his lightweight belt another 3 times. Fast forward to 2026, Islam Makhachev faces a much different test in Ian Garry. Nonetheless, Makhachev’s immediate focus remains on UFC 330 and a dangerous challenger in the Irishman.

Many fighters, analysts, and fans, including rival Ilia Topuria have pointed to the Irishman as having the movement, striking, and cardio necessary to trouble the champion. Whether those tools are enough topple the pound-for-pound king remains to be seen.

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