What do Americans and Russians have in common? Why, their mutual fascination with guns and firearms, of course! A perfect example lies in two of the UFC’s most prominent fighters—Russia’s UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev and America’s UFC middleweight star Sean Strickland. Though they are among the most dominant figures in mixed martial arts, their shared passion for guns has caught the attention of fans worldwide.

Sean Strickland, infamous for his brash and unfiltered personality, has never shied away from showing his love for firearms. From viral videos of him hunting with Nina Marie Daniele to his widely circulated road rage incidents, ‘Tarzan’s’ connection with guns is well-documented. On the other side, Islam Makhachev displays his affinity for weapons in a far more lighthearted way. One of his most memorable moments includes a viral video where he donned a captain’s hat and humorously chased internet sensation Hasbulla around with a toy gun.

Recently, another video featuring Islam Makhachev reignited the discussion. Shared on Reddit’s r/ufc page with the caption, “What is up with this man and weapons?”, the clip shows the Dagestani sensation hiding behind a car, waiting for a teammate to step out of a cabin. As soon as his unsuspecting target emerges, Makhachev fires a (presumably Russian airgun) shot, breaking into uncontrollable laughter.

The post quickly gained traction, sparking comparisons between Islam Makhachev and Sean Strickland over their mutual love of firearms. Fans flocked to the comments section with hilarious takes on the two fighters, blending humor with playful critiques of their gun-related antics. Scroll down to explore some of the funniest fan reactions!

Fans have a field day with Islam Makhachev’s gun antics

One fan couldn’t help but express their surprise, humorously asking, “Who gave this bratha a gun?” This comment sparked laughter across the MMA community, referencing the viral ‘Islam Makhachev autism meme.’ The meme, which has been circulating for years, playfully highlights the reigning champion’s socially awkward moments. A standout instance fueling this meme was his bewildered reaction during the Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington fight, where his hilariously stunned facial expression became an internet classic.

Another fan chimed in, saying, “Guy’s an absolute knucklehead, and I’m here for it.” Meanwhile, comparisons between Islam Makhachev and Sean Strickland began to pour in, with one fan noting, “Here I was thinking Strickland was the UFC’s #1 nutter with guns.” ‘Tarzan’, known for his controversial antics, has had a long and complicated history with firearms. In November 2024, he made headlines after sharing an Instagram video where he held a trespasser on his property at gunpoint.

According to Sean Strickland, the man had been harassing a woman and, upon being confronted, tried to take refuge on his property—unaware that the armed UFC fighter lived there. Strickland’s firearm-related incidents have often placed him in the spotlight, typically for all the wrong reasons. Adding to the debate, another fan humorously commented, “Islam and Strickland are the same… prove me wrong.” A different fan gave Islam Makhachev the upper hand, quipping, “Islam has perfect MMA, but guns beat MMA every time.”

Shifting focus from the fighters themselves, one fan delved into the cultural connection to firearms, commenting, “Russians are like Americans but for Russia.” While this remark sparked some debate, statistics from Statista 2020 show that Americans lead the world in civilian firearm ownership. Russia, however, doesn’t rank among the top 10 countries for gun ownership, yet its reputation for secrecy and resilience often paints a different picture.

Islam Makhachev’s playful antics with guns have once again captured fans’ attention, adding another layer of intrigue to his persona. Whether his sharp aim translates to success in the Octagon remains to be seen, but all eyes are on him as he prepares to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan on January 18. How do you think this fight will play out? Drop your predictions below!