A highly respected figure in mixed martial arts has suggested that the UFC may have shifted its strategy regarding the recruitment of fighters from Dagestan and Russia. This claim comes amidst the continued success and dominance of athletes hailing from the region, who have consistently showcased world-class Sambo and Judo skills, effectively neutralizing striking opponents while sustaining minimal damage.
Khabib Nurmagomedov famously set the benchmark for this dominant style, and his legacy is now being carried forward by prominent figures such as the pound-for-pound king and two-division champion Islam Makhachev, as well as Umar Nurmagomedov, among others.
Outside the UFC, fighters like Usman Nurmagomedov are also demonstrating the same effective Dagestani fighting approach with considerable success.
However, a segment of the MMA fanbase expresses a preference for more striking-heavy, high-octane “slugfests” over grappling-centric contests. This has led to situations where fighters with strong wrestling backgrounds feel compelled to adapt their fighting style to better entertain audiences, satisfy matchmakers, and increase their chances of earning performance bonuses.
Several prominent Russian and Dagestani fighters, including Khamzat Chimaev, Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Movsar Evloev, have at various points in their careers faced criticism for their wrestling-heavy styles. In response, they have made efforts to showcase a more diverse skill set beyond their comfort zones.
Khamzat Chimaev, for instance, recently engaged in a stand-up battle against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, opting to trade strikes rather than utilize his renowned wrestling to control Strickland, a decision that ultimately contributed to his title loss.
Similarly, Movsar Evloev, aiming to impress UFC matchmakers, chose to engage in a striking-focused bout with Lerone Murphy at UFC London. This strategy proved successful on the feet and has positioned Evloev as a likely contender for the next featherweight title shot.
Demetrious Johnson Reveals Rumor About UFC’s Stance on Dagestani and Russian Fighters
During a recent conversation with Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson disclosed a rumor he had encountered, indicating that the UFC might no longer be actively seeking to sign more fighters from Russia or Dagestan. Johnson elaborated:
โI heard a rumor recently that theyโre not letting any more Dagestanis or Russian guys in the organization, because theyโre that f*cking good!โฆ 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].โ
You can hear Demetrious Johnson’s comments below:
๐ง๐ท๐บ Demetrious Johnson says he heard a rumour that the UFC arenโt going to sign any more Dagestani fighters as theyโre too good
โI heard a rumour recently that theyโre not letting any more Dagestaniโs or Russian guys in the organisation, because theyโre that f*cking good!โโฆ pic.twitter.com/kPR2bSPmVb
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 2, 2026
