You’ve seen the photo. It’s hard to miss if you spend even five minutes in the MMA corner of the internet. It shows Islam Makhachev—the pound-for-pound king, the man who dismantled Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier—sporting a thick, curly, almost majestic mane of hair. He looks less like a cold-blooded grappling specialist from Dagestan and more like a character out of a 90s romance novel or a Greek myth.
But here’s the thing: most of those "long hair" photos are fake.
They are the product of clever fans and AI filters. Yet, the obsession with Islam Makhachev long hair persists. Why? Because the contrast is just too funny. We are used to seeing the "Dagestani special"—a disciplined buzz cut paired with a thick, mustache-less beard. Seeing Islam with a mullet or flowing locks feels like finding out Batman secretly wears a Hawaiian shirt under the batsuit.
The Truth About Those Long Hair Photos
Let’s clear the air immediately. That specific, viral image of Islam with curly hair that hits his shoulders? It’s an edit. It’s a very good one, mind you, often shared alongside similar edits of Khabib Nurmagomedov looking like he just stepped out of a hair salon in Beverly Hills.
In reality, Islam keeps his hair short for very practical reasons. If you’re wrestling at a world-class level, long hair is basically a handle for your opponent. It gets in your eyes. It holds heat. It’s a liability.
However, there is a grain of truth to the "Tarzan" rumors. When Islam was about 18 or 19 years old, he actually did let his hair grow out a bit. It wasn't the shampoo-commercial hair from the memes, but it was definitely longer and shaggier than the military-style cuts we see today. Fans have dug up old training photos from his early Combat Sambo days where he has a thick, wavy head of hair.
People actually nicknamed him "Tarzan" back then. It’s a hilarious mental image: a teenage Islam Makhachev, looking like a jungle adventurer, throwing grown men onto their heads in a Russian gym.
The Abdulmanap Haircut Code
There’s a reason why the entire "Khabib Team" looks the same. It isn’t just a fashion choice. It’s a culture of discipline.
The late, great Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov—Islam’s mentor and Khabib’s father—was legendary for his strictness. In their gym in Makhachkala, everything was regulated. Your attitude, your training intensity, and yes, your appearance.
- Discipline: Short hair is seen as a sign of a focused athlete.
- Uniformity: It removes the ego. Nobody is trying to be a "star" or a model; they are there to be soldiers.
- Hygiene: In a gym where you’re sweating and grappling for hours, short hair is just cleaner.
Islam has carried this ethos into the UFC. Even as a multi-millionaire champion, he sticks to the script. Occasionally, he’ll show up to a press conference with a slightly grown-out "Caesar" cut, but it never lasts. By fight night, he’s back to the 1-3 guard buzz.
Why Do Fans Care So Much?
It’s about the "Mythical Fighter" trope. MMA fans love creating alternate versions of their favorite athletes. You have "Sea Level Cain," "Motivated BJ Penn," and now, "Long Hair Islam."
There’s also a bit of a "glow-up" fascination. When those edited photos go viral, the comments are usually some variation of: "Wait, is Islam actually handsome?" Stripping away the "scary Dagestani" aesthetic reveals a guy who, with a different stylist, could probably be a model.
The Shaved Head Phase
If you think Islam Makhachev long hair is a shock, you should see him when he goes the opposite direction.
In April 2024, Islam shocked everyone by shaving his head completely bald. This wasn't for style. He was in Makkah performing the Umrah pilgrimage. Part of the religious ritual involves shaving or trimming the hair as a symbol of humility and spiritual rebirth.
The internet lost its mind. Without the hair and the familiar beard shape, he looked strikingly like his rival Alexander Volkanovski. The memes wrote themselves: "Islam took Volk’s belt, then he took his look."
Can You Get the "Islam" Look?
Funnily enough, people actually go to barbers and ask for this. If you have thick, wavy hair, it’s not hard. But you have to be careful.
- The Base: Ask for a 2 or 3 on top with a slight taper on the sides.
- The Growth: Let it grow for about six weeks. If you have the right texture, it starts to get that "Dagestani volume."
- The Beard: This is the hard part. The beard must be thick on the jawline and chin, but the mustache has to be shaved completely or trimmed extremely short.
Unless you are a world-class wrestler, you might just end up looking like you’ve been stranded on a desert island for a few months.
Practical Lessons from Islam's Aesthetic
Look, Islam Makhachev’s hair—or lack thereof—tells a story of identity. He is a man who prioritizes function over form. He’s not at the T-Mobile Arena to look good for the cameras; he’s there to win.
There is something to be said for that level of focus. In a world of "Aura" and "Drip," Islam is a throwback. He is a reminder that excellence doesn't need a fancy haircut.
If you want to emulate Islam, don't worry about the hair length. Focus on the discipline. But if you really want to see him with long hair, you’re better off sticking to Photoshop.
Actionable Insight:
If you're looking to track Islam's actual style changes, watch his post-fight recovery periods or his visits to Dagestan during the off-season. That's when he typically lets the hair grow past the "regulation" length before returning to camp and cutting it back down for battle.