Here I have put together a list on my opinion of who the top MMA fighters from Dagestan are. You’ll be surprised how many great fighters come from this small area located in Russia.
5. Rustam Khabilov
Born November 4, 1986, Rustam Khabilov is a Dagestani fighter training under Khabib Nurmagomedovs father Abdulmanap. He signed with the UFC in July 2012 and has round up a good record inside of the octagon with wins over names like Jorge Masvidal and Yancy Medeiros.
His style of fighting is Sambo and he’s got a really mean suplex throw of which he even knocked an opponent out with once. I believe his potential to climb the ranks of the lightweight division in UFC is big and therefore I place him 5 on this list.
4. Ramazan Emeev
Ramazan is a combat sambo world champion and currently competes in the welterweight division in the UFC. I believe his future in the UFC looks really bright and he is undefeated inside of the octagon with 3 wins.
His most notable win in the UFC is probably against Sam Alvey. He began his training in freestyle wrestling at 6 years old and has thereby built up a real solid game.
3. Islam Makhachev
With 17 wins and 1 loss to his name, Islam is a must on a list of top MMA fighters from Dagestan. He mauls his opponents and has a fighting style pretty similar to that of Khabib.
Even though he is ranked 15 on the UFC lightweight list at the moment, I am sure he will climb up rapidly.
2. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Zabit is almost inhuman in the moves and different techniques he displays during his fights. Many professional fighters are known to have said that he is the best fighter they have ever seen.
He shows off such a wide variety of techniques it’s ridiculous during his fights. If he goes to the ground he can catch his opponents in locks you never thought was possible.
Like the time he caught UFC fighter Brandon Davis in something called the Suloev stretch. And if the fight takes place standing he will come at his opponents with everything but the kitchen sink. I believe Zabit can become the UFC featherweight champion in the near future and therefore I place him at number 2 on this list.
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib is a given number 1 on a list with the top 5 MMA fighters from Dagestan. His style of fighting is crazy pressure and relentless takedowns against the cage tiring his opponents out.
When watching Khabib fight you can often see by the facial expressions of his opponents that they just want to leave the cage due to the tremendous tempo and attacks from him.
As of the 6th of April Khabib is the UFC lightweight champion. He also defended his title successfully on August 3rd against Conor McGregor in a fight scheduled for 5 rounds, but ultimately got stopped in the fourth round when Khabib caught Conor in a neck crank.
I also made a list of the most skilled MMA fighters we’ve ever seen.