Islam Makhachev is a champion with values.
Makhachev (28-1) became a two-division champion on Saturday by dominating Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title at UFC 322. Makhachev and his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, subsequently met with retired Dagestani boxing legend Magomed Abdusalamov, whose career was tragically cut short.
Abdulsalamov won and defended the USNBC heavyweight title twice before his career ended at the same venue where Makhachev defeated Maddalena. Abdusalamov lost his title to Mike Perez in a lopsided beatdown at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2013.
Abdusalamov was initially cleared of brain injury by Barry Jordan, the then Chief Medical Officer of the New York State Athletic Commission.