An all-time MMA great has alleged that the UFC is no longer interested in signing Dagestani or Russian fighters.
Over the years, Dagestani fighters with world-class Sambo and Judo have shown the world how to dominate strikers and win fights while taking minimal damage. Khabib Nurmagomedov set the standard, and now pound-for-pound king and two-division champ Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and many others are following his lead.
Meanwhile, outside the UFC, Usman Nurmagomedov has showcased the same dominant Dagestani style and achieved success.
However, a portion of the MMA community is not fond of wrestling-heavy fight styles and instead prefers slugfests. As a result, fighters with strong wrestling backgrounds are forced to change the way they fight to entertain fans, matchmakers, and earn bonuses.
Currently, Russian and Dagestani fighters such as Khamzat Chimaev, Makhachev, Umar, and Movsar Evloev have also faced criticism for their wrestling-heavy fighting styles at some point in their careers, after which they stepped outside their comfort zones to showcase their well-roundedness.
Chimaev most recently lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. In that bout, “Borz” mostly chose to stand and bang rather than drag Strickland to the mat and ragdoll him.
Similarly, Movsar Evloev, to impress the matchmakers, chose to strike with Lerone Murphy at UFC London, found success on the feet, and will most likely get the next featherweight title shot.
Demetrious Johnson tells “GSP” about an ongoing rumour that the UFC is not signing Dagestanis or Russian fighters anymore
During a recent interview with Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson said he’d heard a rumor that the UFC is not game to sign more Russian or Dagestani fighters anymore. He added:
“I heard a rumour recently that they’re not letting any more Dagestanis or Russian guys in the organisation, because they’re that f*cking good!… Could you imagine more Umar Nurmagomedov? The guy who is a striker [and can also take you down and finish you on the ground, submit you].”
Check out Demetrious Johnson’s comments below:
