I like Islam Makhachev. I think he’s a great and humble champion. I respect all the hard work he has put into his career, I have nothing but respect for him.
But when I saw his team bring the Russian flag into the Octagon, I was upset. And the reason I reacted that way is because, first during all five of my UFC title fights, I was never allowed to bring my Georgian or American flag into the cage.
Second reason for me, this is very personal because of what Russian politics and the Russian government have done to my country. Russia occupies around 20% of Georgia, and there has been a history of war, occupation, and suffering against my Georgian people. Russia has also been responsible for terrible violence in Chechnya, and they are still killing people in Ukraine today. I also want to make one thing very clear: I don’t hate Russian people. I hate Russian politics and the Russian government. My problem is with the government and its actions, not with ordinary Russian people.
And for me, the people of the Caucasus — Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and other parts of the region — have their own identities, cultures, and histories. I respect the people of the Caucasus.
So again, this was never about Islam personally.
And last thing I want to say is that the The Russian media is always asking me provocative questions, and they will never translate this video honestly or show what I’m actually saying, because it doesn’t fit the narrative they want to create.
Reality is the Russian government is a dictatorship and corrupt. There is no freedom of speech and if you protest anything in Russia you go to jail. This is facts