UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Meets the First Kid Sent to Dagestan for 2-3 Years of Training

Islam Makhachev’s infamous line to Daniel Cormier about sending kids to Dagestan for training has actually turned into a reality. Everyone had laughed at Islam for suggesting so, but the lightweight champion has now found someone who’s done exactly that.

In an interview with Cormier last year, two former training partners talked about if the latter’s son was getting good at wrestling, following in his father’s footsteps.

To this, the champ had a very simple suggestion, one which Cormier did not like one bit. He asked the former UFC fighter to send his son to Dagestan for a few years so he could get trained and have elite wrestling and grappling skills.

But what made the moment go viral was the way Islam said it, “If you want your son, high-level wrestling, send him two-three years Dagestan and forget.”

Cormier was naturally not very convinced and stated that he would send his son for a maximum of 3 weeks. Makhachev then tried to bargain saying, “Six months, one time you can call him.” The hilarious moment immediately became a meme, and UFC fans were having a field day with it.

As it turns out, the champ has now actually met someone who has been sent to Dagestan for a few years to perfect his wrestling. Makhachev shared the video via his social media, where he was asking the man some questions. “First guy who come to Dagestan… 2-3 years send him to Dagestan.”, Islam said.

The man in question was a Spaniard named Gonzalo who had come to Dagestan to learn from the best.

Now, there’s no indication as to how he got to join Makhachev’s gym, since Team Khabib is an elite group of fighters and they have a very tight-knit community.

So, for the Spaniard to break into that is nothing short of special. He is in extremely good and capable hands, and for all you know, after a few years, we may see him in the UFC, too. Interestingly, wrestling alone will not get him there.

Makhachev himself knows this. It’s why he’s been trying to break the mold of Dagestani fighters not being good strikers.

Makhachev trains at Tiger Muay Thai

During his 3rd title defense at UFC 302 last year, against veteran fighter Dustin Poirier, Islam showed something his predecessor Khabib Nurmagomedov never did. Islam was happy to stand up and dish it out to a world-class striker like Poirier. Sure, he still won by a submission, but the 155-pounder had actually managed to outbox Dustin in the 5-round classic.

However,  the fight got extremely intense and closer than Islam would have liked, especially after Poirier left a massive gash on his forehead, a far cry from most of his regular fights. And that is something the Dagestani champion wishes to change.

Earlier this month, the UFC lightweight champion took his skills to Thailand in an effort to improve his striking.

Tiger Muay Thai is one of the most prominent Muay Thai gyms in Thailand, with the likes of Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, and Valentina Shevchenko all having trained there previously.

Makhachev even released some footage of his training at the gym and it left fans stunned.

The UFC lightweight champ looked sharper and quicker than ever, throwing lightning-fast head kicks and punches. Turns out, Makhachev was serious about being one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC. And if he is planning on fighting Ilia Topuria next, he will definitely need some exceptional striking.