Islam Makhachev Says His Famous Catchphrase Reached the PSG Soccer Locker Room

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev recently shared how his famous catchphrase, "send him to Dagestan," has spread to mainstream sports around the world. In an interview published on June 21, 2026, Makhachev talked about a conversation he had with tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who told him just how popular the saying has become.

According to Makhachev, Djokovic mentioned that professional soccer players now use the phrase regularly, even inside the locker room of the famous French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). "I met Djokovic," Makhachev said during the interview. "Djokovic told me that in the PSG locker room they say, 'Hey, send him to Dagestan for 2-3 years.' I'm not really sure how it spreads."

The phrase originally started as a joke during an older interview, when Makhachev suggested that sending Daniel Cormier's kids to train in his tough home region of Dagestan would improve their discipline. Since then, the internet has turned it into a massive meme. Fans and athletes now use it as a joke whenever a player is performing poorly or lacks stamina, saying they need to be sent to Dagestan to get fixed.

Makhachev also noted that other top athletes have noticed the trend. He recalled meeting former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, who actually asked the UFC fighter for permission to print the famous phrase on a clothing line.

Beyond just being an internet joke, Makhachev confirmed the viral phrase is having a real impact. He stated that his hometown has seen a large increase in sports tourists, with many international visitors now traveling to Dagestan just to train or take photos at his gym.