MAKHACHKALA, June 22 – RIA "Dagestan". The current UFC lightweight titleholder, Islam Makhachev, has disclosed his significant financial commitment to expanding padel in his native region. Makhachev noted that he had personally invested over RUB 50 million rubles into the sport, with the total cost for building the courts and necessary infrastructure reaching around RUB 60 million.
In a recent interview on the "Adam Zubayraev" YouTube channel, the 34-year-old fighter stressed that his financial contributions were primarily aimed at establishing and maintaining the facilities, not at turning a profit. As a result, all courts are now open and highly popular among local residents. Makhachev confirmed that he planned to continue his support for padel, noting that the project's success had already attracted international franchise proposals from Dubai and Uzbekistan. "The popularity of this active sport is gradually growing" the champion says.