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California Cheesecake Meme

One wrong sandwich name became Khabib and Islam’s fight-week scorecard.

Islam Makhachev answered Khabib’s “Philly cheesecake” slip with “California cheesecake,” and Khabib had to call it 1–1.

By RTTA TeamLast updated 2026-08-16

What it is

The “California cheesecake” meme is an UFC 330 fight-week callback between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. It starts with Khabib confidently calling a Philadelphia cheesesteak a “Philly cheesecake” while teasing the weight-cutting Islam about missing dinner. During a later training exchange, Islam brings the mistake back with the short reply “California cheesecake.” Khabib smiles and concedes, “Okay, okay, 1–1.” The clip went viral because the comeback needs no setup once viewers know the original food slip. Creators are using the line as a nonsense rebuttal, a reaction punchline, and a caption for friends keeping score on old mistakes. This is MMA team banter, not a dessert recipe or the older Cheesecake Factory meme.

How to try it

  1. Use the two-beat setup: show or quote Khabib saying “Philly cheesecake,” then cut to Islam’s “California cheesecake” reply and Khabib’s 1–1 reaction.

  2. Adapt it as a comeback format: first clip shows a friend’s old verbal mistake; second clip drops your intentionally wrong regional version. Keep the pause before the reply.

  3. Search pack: #CaliforniaCheesecake #Khabib #IslamMakhachev #UFC330 #PhillyCheesecake. Keep it playful; do not turn friendly team banter into a fake feud.

Reference post

Read on Cnnindonesia

Islam Makhachev answered Khabib’s “Philly cheesecake” slip with “California cheesecake,” and Khabib had to call it 1–1.

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Common questions

What is the California cheesecake meme?
It is Islam Makhachev’s callback to Khabib Nurmagomedov mistakenly calling a Philly cheesesteak a “Philly cheesecake.”
What did Islam say?
He replied “California cheesecake” during a later exchange, making Khabib smile and call their joke score 1–1.
Why did Khabib say Philly cheesecake?
He mixed up “cheesesteak” while telling the team about dinner and teasing Islam, who was cutting weight for UFC 330.
Is California cheesecake a real UFC reference?
It is a joking phrase from the teammates’ exchange, not a move, nickname, or official product.
What should creators avoid?
Do not frame the exchange as serious hostility. The visible tone is an inside joke between teammates.