Merab Dvalishvili brought the hype surrounding Daguestan fighters back down to earth with his unanimous decision win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 on January 19. By doing so, he successfully defended his bantamweight belt and proved that Daguestanis are, in fact, mortal. Until that point, no member of Khabib’s family had ever been defeated, which had created an aura of invincibility around them. However, Dvalishvili’s victory humanized the Daguestan fighters, showing that they’re just like any other athlete.
“Daguestanis are good fighters, they’ve always excelled in martial arts… but at the same time, they’re normal people,” Merab acknowledged in a statement. The fighters from this Russian region are known for their exceptional grappling and ground game skills. Nevertheless, Merab’s win over Umar demonstrated that they’re not unbeatable. In a grueling match, ‘The Machine’ pushed through, showcasing his cardio and pundonor to ultimately secure a unanimous decision victory.
As Merab put it, “Khabib ended up undefeated, but he simply didn’t face a worthy opponent.” The undefeated record of ‘The Eagle’ had set the standard for other Daguestani fighters like Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Usman Nurmagomedov. However, Merab believes there’s nothing special or supernatural about their aura. “Heavenly forces do not help them. They’re normal athletes, and others can defeat them, as seen in my case,” he said.
The figure of Khabib Nurmagomedov was the foundation upon which the reputation of Daguestani fighters was built. His undefeated record, which includes 29 wins and no losses, preceded the rise of other notable fighters from the region. But Merab’s victory has brought a dose of reality to the table, reminding everyone that these fighters are, after all, human.
A year of reckoning for Daguestan fighters
2025 hasn’t been the best year for fighters from this region. While Islam Makhachev did successfully defend his lightweight belt against Renato Moicano at UFC 311, other Daguestani fighters have struggled to meet expectations. Umar’s loss to Merab was just the beginning, and several subsequent events have proven that beating them is not an impossible mission.
Usman Nurmagomedov, brother of Umar and cousin of Khabib, defended his Bellator lightweight belt against Paul Hughes, but many believed the Irish fighter had done enough to win. This was followed by the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on February 1, where Said Nurmagomedov and Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov, both from Daguestan, suffered losses to their respective opponents. These defeats have only reinforced Merab’s words, making it increasingly clear that Daguestan fighters are beatable.