Over the past few years, MMA has seen immense growth and popularity all around the world. The UFC played the most important part in making MMA popular and as a result, fighters from various countries now join various promotions. For many years, the MMA world was dominated by American, Japanese and Brazilian fighters. One part of the world that is getting famous because of the top-class MMA fighters it has given to the world is the Republic of Dagestan. The fighters from this country are on a different level and dominate the sport. On that note, let’s have a look at the best MMA fighters who hail from Dagestan.
10. Rashid Magomedov
Rashid Magomedov began his MMA journey in 2008 and has fought in various promotions, including M-1, PFL, ACA and UFC. He was once a top-ranked UFC lightweight and has victories over Anthony Rocco Martin, Bobby Green, Gilbert Burns and Thiago Tavares. Magomedov has a great MMA record of 25 wins and 6 losses, of which ten of the wins were by knockouts. He currently competes in the ACA. His last bout was against Ali Bagov in July 2022, which ended in a no-contest because both fighters were disqualified for lack of activity.
9. Ali Bagautinov
Bagautinov made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and was a veteran in Russia’s MMA promotion, Fight Nights. He has amassed a professional record of 22-7 and is currently on a three-fight winning streak in Brave CF. The last time Bagautinov fought in the octagon was in 2021. He gained great fame after competing in UFC’s flyweight division. During his tenure at the UFC, Bagautinov defeated Marcos Vinicius, Tim Elliot and John Linekar to earn a title shot against Demtrious Johnson. However, he couldn’t win the title and was released from the promotion after two consecutive losses. But he continued to compete in Russia, not only in MMA but in boxing too.
8. Muslim Salikhov
Muslim Salikhov began his MMA journey in 2011 and soon signed with M-1. He fought in various promotions and finally entered the UFC in 2017. He has victories over names like Laureano Staropoli, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Francisco Trinaldo. Salikhov’s MMA record is 19-4 and he continues to fight in the UFC. His last fight was against Nicolas Dalby in June 2023, which he lost via unanimous decision. Apart from MMA, Salikhov also competes in sanda and kickboxing and has a great record there as well.
7. Rustam Khabilov
After competing in M-1 for some time, he entered the UFC and competed in the lightweight Division. Before joining the UFC, he amassed an impressive record of 14-1. He has wins over Yancy Medeiros, Jorge Masvidal, Norman Park and Leandro Silva. After competing for six years in the UFC, he signed with Bellator MMA but has yet to make his promotional debut. Khabilov has had two fixtures canceled since signing at the end of 2020 and has been hampered by health issues.
6. Omari Akhmedov
Omari Akhmedov is a great Middleweight fighter who competed in various promotions before entering the UFC and compiled an impressive record. He made his UFC debut in 2013 and defeated great Middleweights like Tim Boetsch, Ian Heinisch and Tom Breese. Currently, Akhmedov competes in the PFL in the light heavyweight division. His overall MMA record is 24 wins and eight losses.
5. Said Nurmagomedov
Said Nurmagomedov got off to a great start in his professional MMA career with six wins. Then he signed with the WFCA and within one year he entered the UFC. He was signed by the UFC after compiling an 11-1 record. Nurmagomedov has wins over Ricardo Ramos and Cody Stamann. His most recent bout was against Muin Gafurov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294, where he scored the win via submission.
4. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Zabit Magomedsharipov currently competes in the featherweight division of the UFC. He has amassed an impressive MMA record of 18-1. When Zabit used to compete in the ACB, he became the featherweight champion there but vacated the title to be signed by the UFC. “Zabeast” was considered one of the best featherweights in the world at one time. He has not competed in the UFC octagon since November 2019 due to health issues. In 2022, Magomedsharipov notified the promotion that he was retiring from the sport and began training to be a doctor.
3. Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev is currently one of the most incredible fighters in the UFC. He is No. 3 in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings. The “Russian Terror” entered the UFC in 2018 after amassing an undefeated record of 9-0, but he lost to Paul Craig in his debut match. However, Ankalaev is currently on a ten fight winning streak. He has defeated fighters like Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith. Last year, Magomed drew against Jan Blachowicz for the vacant Light Heavyweight title.
2. Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is the current Lightweight Champion in the UFC. He is No. 1 in UFC’s pound-for-pound ranking. Makhachev has amassed an impressive MMA record of 25-1, which includes 13 consecutive wins as well. The Russian fighter is very dominant in the octagon and aggressively attacks his opponents. He recently defended his title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov is arguably the most incredible and best fighter to come out of Dagestan. He retired with an undefeated MMA record of 29-0. Khabib’s winning streak is considered one of the greatest in the sport. Khabib has victories over fighters like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. “The Eagle” clearly dominated the sport and his retirement was a shock for every MMA fan. Although he retired in 2020, Khabib is still active in the sport and trains many of his countrymen.
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