The one-liners of Islam Makhachev have become a staple in the fight community, loved for their mix of fun and banter. From calling out a show producer mid-interview to challenging King Kong, Makhachev’s quick wit keeps fans entertained. His famous line about inviting kids to Dagestan for a few years to turn them into solid prospects has now turned into a reality, as his influence continues to grow.
To give context, in a 2024 interview, Islam Makhachev jokingly told Cormier to send his son to Dagestan for a few years to master wrestling, saying, “Send him two-three years to Dagestan and forget.” Cormier wasn’t convinced, suggesting three weeks. Makhachev then joked about six months, turning the exchange into a viral meme in the UFC community.
Meanwhile, Makhachev recently met someone who actually took his advice and went to Dagestan to train wrestling for a few years. He shared a video on social media where he spoke with the man, saying, “First guy who came to Dagestan… 2-3 years, send him to Dagestan.” What started as a joke seems to have become a reality for this wrestler now in Dagestan.
It will be interesting to see the future of this kid if he becomes a top-level wrestler, as Makhachev predicted. If his training in Dagestan pays off, he could follow in the footsteps of some of the best grapplers in the world. Time will tell if this journey leads him to big things in the UFC or other wrestling arenas.
Islam Makhachev Is Better Than Khabib In One Key Area Says Coach Mendez
Mendez recently joined the ‘Javier and Mo Show’ and talked about what makes Makhachev stand out from Khabib. He said Makhachev is better at adapting during fights, while Khabib stuck to one style. Mendez also praised Makhachev for being a great student who always listens to his coaches and stays focused, saying he’s always on point in the octagon.
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Indeed, Makhachev now ranked as the UFC’s number one pound-for-pound fighter due to his impressive skills. UFC journalist Mike Bohn shared similar praise for Makhachev. Things are looking great for him, but with Ilia Topuria emerging as a threat, it’ll be interesting to see how Makhachev fares against him and how his future in the UFC unfolds.
