At the 2025 World Championships held in Zagreb, Croatia, Musukaev competed in the 70 kg weight class — a step up from the 65 kg division where he had claimed his previous world and European titles. On September 13, 2025, he faced Japan's Yoshinosuke Aoyagi in the quarterfinal round, falling by technical fall with a score of 10-0.
The Incident and Public Response
The bout drew significant public attention beyond the scoreline due to an on-mat incident during a grappling exchange. In its aftermath, Musukaev issued a public apology paired with a detailed account of his reaction. He described feeling insulted by what he characterized as inappropriate contact during the match, contextualizing his response within Caucasus cultural norms — framing it as a reaction rooted in deeply held personal and cultural values rather than malicious intent. He was unambiguous, however, in stating that he does not condone the behavior he displayed, accepting full responsibility for how that reaction manifested in a public competitive setting.
Resolution
In the days following the incident, Musukaev thanked supporters for their understanding and shared a photograph of himself and Yoshinosuke Aoyagi shaking hands — a clear gesture of mutual respect and a deliberate effort to close the chapter on constructive terms.