Credits: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC and Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Islam Makhachev jokes PFL champion teammate needed win after spending entire $1million prize for last title victory

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 10:15 PM ET

Islam Makhachev joked with Movlid Khaybulaev that he needed to win last night’s PFL World Tournament – because he already spent his $1million purse from his last victory.

The unbeaten Russian dominated 2023 champion Jesus Pinedo over five rounds before locking in an arm triangle choke to win gold last night. He also won the 2021 PFL season back when it was a league and playoff format, where he earned seven figures for his efforts.

However, former UFC champion Makhachev claimed that the money didn’t last long, and he needed the $500,000 payday that he earned last night. The Russian pair are part of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s gym in Dagestan, which was founded by the legend’s father Abdulmanap.

Islam Makhachev pays hilarious tribute to Movlid Khaybulaev after PFL win

Islam Makhachev wasn’t in the corner alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov at last night’s PFL finals in Atlantic City. But he was watching closely as Movlid Khaybulaev overcame a knockdown midway through the fight to win his second title.

Khaybulaev has had issues with injury and visas that stopped him from competing the last few years, but he is widely considered one of the most frightening featherweights outside of the UFC. He showed it in spades in New Jersey as he landed one of the great scalps of his career.

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Makhachev shared a series of photos of them together to Instagram, with the caption focusing on the money and how he spent it. “Now a two-time @pflmma Grand Prix champion!” Makhachev wrote in a triumphant message.

“Took the first 1 [million] $, spent it all – I had to go back for the second [$500,000]. Wait in the cage, as soon as it will be spent again! I sincerely congratulate you brother, you made everyone happy.”

Movlid Khaybulaev copied Islam Makhachev’s touching gesture after title victory

Makhachev did inspire the first move that Khaybulaev made when he was presented with his title belt last night. He immediately took the belt off and presented it to Nurmagomedov, paying tribute to his legendary coach, who retired on top of the sport.

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

“Don’t you forget our school and where we are coming from,” Khaybulaev said during his interview with Dan Hardy after the victory. “This is the school of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and we are full of champions.”

When Makhachev first won his lightweight title in the UFC, reclaiming the belt that Nurmagomedov had vacated years prior, he gave the belt back to his coach. And it appears to be a tradition in the gym, with Usman Nurmagomedov doing similar in Bellator.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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