In the past few years, a new generation of MMA superstars has emerged from the North Caucasus region, Dagestan. Fighters like the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Magomed Ankalaev, Usman Nurmagomedov, and many more have achieved great success in their MMA careers, and it seems like this is only the beginning. Many of them have a similar fighting style, focused on wrestling and positional dominance on the ground, which has led them to become world champions and top-tier fighters. This article will give you insight into the fighting culture of Dagestan, and we will try to analyze the strength of this small nation and why its fighters are so dominant.
Hard Times Create Strong Men
Throughout its history, Dagestan has been through many hardships and wars. During Stalin’s rule, industrialization largely bypassed Dagestan, making it the poorest region of the Soviet Union. Additionally, in 1999 the republic of Dagestan was invaded by Chechen Islamist groups, which began the Dagestan war. As a result of these factors and the geographical location of Dagestan, this is a tough place to live. Many fighters here grew up surrounded by poverty, and fighting was their only way out. Nonetheless, the Dagestan people are known as great warriors, which has always been a part of their history and culture.
Wrestling Culture
There is no other region in the world with more success in freestyle wrestling than Dagestan. Dagestan has produced many Olympic champions, and the region is known for its technical wrestlers. Dagestan’s training system is based on drilling and specific sparring, making their wrestlers extraordinarily precise and technical. Additionally, the results are guaranteed when you add a culture that puts a lot of effort into developing young wrestlers and providing them with an adequate system.
One of the greatest wrestlers of all time is Buvaisar Saitiev. This Dagestan-born wrestler was known for his exceptional technique, and he won the Olympic gold three times and is a six-time world champion. An interesting fact about Buvaisar is that his brother Adam Saitiev is also an Olympic champion.
Nowadays, another excellent wrestler is coming from Dagestan, Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Sadulaev is a two-time Olympic champion and a four-time world champion. On top of that, he is only 26 years old, which means he still has a long way ahead.
Considering what the nation has gone through, the poverty throughout the region, and a system that promotes the development of young athletes, Dagestan is the mecca of wrestling and fighting, and many more champions are sure to emerge from this region.
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