Before Islam Makhachev stepped into the octagon to chase the welterweight title at UFC 322, he was spotted spending his downtime chasing a different kind of prize. While in New Jersey, the man from Makhachkala in Russia was seen in Pell’s Bait and Tackle shop to gear up for a fishing trip.
Even with a massive title fight against Jack Della Maddalena looming at Madison Square Garden – a bout that would ultimately see the Dagestani Destroyer tie a new UFC record for the longest winning streak – Makhachev showed he’s never too busy to ignore his fishing passion for long.
For the former Sambo competitor, fishing has transcended mere hobby to become something that offers calm before the storm of the octagon. Speaking in the autumn of 2025 to UFC Embedded, he admitted that he hasn’t had much luck catching anything in U.S. waters, but that won’t stop him from trying. He joked about the fish being better in Russia, yet said he’d spent a lot of time on the water while competing in North America.
Interestingly, Makhachev’s relationship with the water goes much deeper than just trying to land a trophy catch. For him, it’s about giving back to the environment that provides him so much peace.
In December, following his return to Dagestan after victory at UFC 322, he was filmed releasing roughly 1,300 young sturgeon and mountain trout into the Kazikumukhskoye Koisu stream to help restore protected species. It’s clear that being near the water helps him find the peace and quiet needed to balance out the intensity of being one of the world’s leading UFC fighters right now.
UFC Stars Finding Their Love of Fishing
Makhachev isn’t the only UFC star to have found his Zen by the water. Veteran brawler Clay Guida famously calls fishing his getaway, using the sport to slow down his mind after decades of high-intensity training.
Guida turned his passion into a business, partnering with former title challenger Chad Mendes to launch Gillz and Thrillz, a guide service that takes fans on saltwater and freshwater adventures.
Then there’s Gregor Gillespie, the self-proclaimed “Best Fisherman In MMA”. Gillespie treats fishing like active rest, often obsessively pursuing elusive species like muskie to satisfy the same competitive drive that fueled his NCAA wrestling titles, and successes in UFC and on the US-based Ring of Combat circuit.
Fishing Appeal Grows Around the World
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As the world’s top fighters trade their gloves for fishing rods, they aren’t just finding solitude; they are joining a massive cultural and economic wave. The fishing industry is currently hooked on a major growth spurt, with projections seeing its value skyrocket from $72 million in 2023 to an estimated $211 million by 2033.
This mainstream boom is visible everywhere, from the record-breaking 2024 viewership of Major League Fishing’s Heavy Hitters — where livestream minutes surged by 67% — to the rise of Anglercore in fashion, as gilets and cargo trousers move from the riverbank to the high-street runway.
Fishing’s influence has even flooded the digital world. Virtual reality hit Real VR Fishing recently surpassed one million copies sold, while iGaming favorites like Big Bass Bonanza and Big Catch Bass Fishing have become some of the most popular megaways titles alongside the likes of Captain Kraken and Explode the Toad.
Away from the Spotlight of Competition
Whether it’s the quiet concentration of a New Jersey pier or the conservation efforts in the streams of Dagestan, fishing provides a vital pressure release from the intensity of professional competition. As the industry’s profile and economy continue to grow, fighters like Makhachev prove that reaching the top of the game often requires knowing when to simply head to the water and drop a line.