Dagestan fighters are known for their close camaraderie, especially individuals like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. They openly support fighters coming out of their camp, and push them to excel in the UFC. Even in his retirement as a fighter and trainer, Nurmagomedov continued to support his best friend, cornering the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion when he fought Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
Recently, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov took to social media to support Ikrama Aliskerov in his fight against Robert Whittaker. Another Dagestan fighter, Ramazan Kuramagomedov, sought Makhachev’s help years ago but was turned down by Dana White. Now, five years later, Makhachev’s friend’s victory reflects what could have been a missed opportunity for the UFC.
Makhachev Mirrors Dana White
Riding on his third successful title defense after Islam Makhachev shared a post on Instagram yesterday. It was a throwback to an earlier post where he praised fellow Dagestani fighter Ramazan Kuramagomedov and urged Dana White to give him a shot in the UFC. The caption reads, “Hey Dana, give this guy [Ramadan] a deal. He has boxed well and fought in the strike to show a good fight and win contracts; You have to respect that.”
Despite Makhachev’s support, Ramazan Kuragomedov didn’t get a chance in the UFC. He went to Bellator, where he recently dethroned their reigning welterweight champion Jason Jackson by a main score of 48-47. Delighted by his friend’s victory, Makhachev shared the news, writing, “After Ramadan’s victory over a good opponent in the B Contender Series, I wrote to give Dana a contract, but unfortunately, today they are saying has taught him to go and be a champion in Bellator .” This win highlights that the UFC may take care of Kuramagomedov who wasn’t signed when they got the chance.
Almost Lost: Kuramagomedov’s UFC Debut
In 2021, Ramazan Kuramagomedov was on track to make his UFC debut against Alex Oliveira at UFC Vegas 20. A respected fighter with experience against notable opponents like Gilbert Burns, Oliveira was facing Kuramagomedov, who had lost only two of them. His business record. But Kuramagomedov’s dream debut failed when he fell ill before weighing in, forcing him to withdraw from the fight.
After this missed opportunity, Kuramagomedov competed in promotions including UAE Warriors and EFC, before finally landing in Bellator in 2023. His debut against Jaleel Willis at Bellator 297 showcased his striking prowess, TKO via knee and fist combination -Victory secured Kuramagomedov continued his impressive run with a submission victory over Randall Wallace at Bellator 301. Most recently, on June 22, 2024, he won the Bellator welterweight title with a solid decision victory a unanimous victory over Jason Jackson at a source.
Vindication of Makhachev: He is a champion in Bellator
Considering Kuramagomedov’s success, Islam Makhachev’s first push to be inducted into the UFC seems more appropriate than ever. Kuramagomedov’s Bellator success raises questions about the UFC’s decision not to sign him. His impressive skill set and boxing ability could make him a formidable contender in the UFC welterweight division. Fans can speculate about the explosive matches Kuramagomedow could have had, including possibly a potential fight with reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
Other Stars on the UFC’s First Saudi Arabia Card
The UFC’s inaugural Saudi Arabia card featured several notable matchups. In the co-main event, Alexander Volkov faced knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich. Aware of Pavlovich’s powerful kicks, Volkov controlled the course well and won a unanimous decision after three rounds.
One-eyed middleweight sensation Sharaputdin Magomedov continued his winning streak with a knockout win over Antonio Troccoli. Former title contender Calvin Gastelum bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Daniel Rodriguez, breaking a troubling skid in his recent performances.
