Islam Makhachev Trolls Messi Fan After Spain Wins 2026 World Cup Final
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev could not resist a playful dig at a Lionel Messi supporter shortly after Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The exchange, captured on video and widely shared Sunday, captured the Dagestani star’s dry sense of humor in the aftermath of a hard-fought extra-time loss for the Argentine side.
Spain claimed its second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, ending Argentina’s bid for back-to-back championships. Argentina finished the match with 10 men.
Makhachev attended the final with members of his team, including manager Ali Abdelaziz and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. After the final whistle he turned to a nearby fan wearing an Argentina jersey with Messi’s name and number on the back.
“Hey, second place. You happy?” Makhachev asked.
The fan, still clapping, did not hesitate. “Yea I’m happy because Ronaldo’s not here, Messi is here.”
Makhachev later offered his assessment of the contest itself during a brief interview. “Very bad game honestly. Very boring, but it’s ok.”
The light moment stood in contrast to the disappointment felt by many Argentina supporters. Lionel Messi, appearing in his sixth World Cup at age 39, left the pitch in tears after the final whistle. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had guided his country to another final but could not secure a second consecutive title.
Makhachev’s presence at the match came during a brief break in his own preparation schedule. The 28-1 fighter currently holds the UFC welterweight championship and sits atop most pound-for-pound rankings. He is scheduled to make the first defense of that title against ranked contender Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330.
The card takes place August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Garry enters with a 17-1 record and has been positioned as a top challenger in the 170-pound division.
Makhachev’s willingness to engage fans in the stands fits a pattern of approachable, humorous interactions that have become more visible as his profile has grown. The World Cup final appearance also underscored the crossover appeal of elite combat sports athletes among global sporting events.
While the result left Argentina as runners-up, the fan’s response highlighted the enduring Messi-versus-Ronaldo debate that continues to animate soccer discussions worldwide. Makhachev’s follow-up critique of the match quality reflected a common sentiment among some observers who found the final low on open play.
Attention now shifts back to the Octagon for the champion. His upcoming bout against Garry represents both a title defense and an opportunity to extend one of the longest active win streaks in UFC history. Training continues in the United States ahead of the August return.
