This Country Produces the DEADLIEST Fighters

UFC and MMA broadcaster Adam Catterall joins Big Jim in the studio to discuss which part of the world produces the ultimate fighters - like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski and other champions who seem to be built differently.
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[@sherrylibby7892]

Khabib makes me want to be a better person ❤

[@TheShrouded]

For decades when USA and Russia (USSR before) dominated Olympics wrestling. Most of the Russian wrestlers were from Dagestan. They were just known as Russians

[@3lastname390]

Which is crazy, considering how small Dagestan and it's population is compare one of our top wrestling state in Pennsylvania. We have over 2x their land mass, and 4x their population. While Penn produce elite college wrestler, Dagestan is pumping out Olympic wresters

[@niconicoo5661]

@@TheShrouded not only from dagestan but also chechens, georgians, ingush and the rest of kaukasians

[@woopazipper]

@@niconicoo5661 Yeah, mountain people in general produce amazing athletes

[@therageandthepride]

They arent just dagestani, there arw circassian,ossetian,russian armenians,georgians,abkhazians...the entire kavkaz is richest in wrestling

[@shamilkurbanov-ju1kt]

Chechen, ingush, Circassians, Georgians the legendary saitiev brothers are ethnically Chechens who trained in Dagestan

[@OurLoveUFC]

Dagestan is now a MMA brand,!!!

[@Tvdpf]

The Dagi ruled the MMA world!!! Amazing people!!

[@thinkbeforeyoutype7106]

The reason why they produced incredible fighters is because of their faith. They avoid the 5 deadly sins (drugs, alcohol, gambling, sexual immorality, and usury (interest/debt). This is what destroys individuals and society as collective. Hope that helps. Assalaamu Alaykum

[@bijosn]

Lol you clearly know nothing. Sex slaves are allowed, concubines are allowed. Afghanistan sells opium as one of its main exports.

[@bijosn]

😂😂😂nonsense

[@mr.bomzalo9563]

It's the truth bruh. ​@@bijosn

[@chickennugster5136]

Khabib is in fat debt right now.

[@3lastname390]

Their faith also say fighting for sport is haram.

[@alcottdevalte7440]

The Muslim fighters are at another level. The strong belief in One God makes a strong mindset and unbreakable will.

[@gamebredo8880]

Not just in sports being a devout religious is a cheat code in life

[@bijosn]

So why arent there any pakstayni ufc fighters?

[@bijosn]

Nonsense.lol.

[@bijosn]

Where are the ones from pak stan?

[@bijosn]

One god, one pdf and one cube

[@KBWarrioR2018]

Adam is one of the real ones from mma media. Pros pro.

[@ars7714]

0:45 Chine Side😂😂😂Dagestan, Chechnya, Cherkessia, Balkaria, Adygeya, Ingushetia, Ossetia, Abkhazia. This is all the Russian Caucasus. This is not the Chinese side of Russia, i.e. not the East, but the South of Russia. Beyond the Caucasus lie Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, also former Russian provinces that Moscow has carved out for independent rule. Before that, Russia bordered on the Ottoman and Persian Empires. Also, this is the Turkish Iranian side of Russia.

[@nickmonadi]

Exactly

[@tarzanstrickland]

they are not turkish or iranian, Azerbaijan borders that to the south yes, but this is the Caucus. Khabib is a Caucasian Avar, Makhachev is a Caucasian Lak, indigenous Caucus people

[@monirahmed5246]

​@@tarzanstrickland the people in that region have a mix of Turkic and Slavic origins. It is better described as a Central Asian regions than Eastern Europe.

[@therageandthepride]

@@tarzanstrickland❤

[@alexferdinansyah757]

Western people, call people that are not in their culture "eastern" or "the other side", euphemism for "the enemy". It's not actually has to do to geographical location. Case in point, the western would take yisraelis as "westerners" whereas they are located smack dab in the middle east.

[@havetrustissue8975]

Dagestani name analysis: Magomed ---> Muhammed Magomed-ov ---> Muhammed-ov Nurmagomed-ov ---> Nur Muhammed-ov Sharabutdin ---> Sharaf-uddin Sharabutdin Magomedov---> Sharaf-uddin Muhammad-ov

[@arcadianarcadians4641]

Thank you very much

[@tes-sm9oq]

Khabib - Habeb (my dear) Rakhmonov - Rahman ov Sarabuddin - Syarifuddin

[@fidprudentialbsn45]

its all about mindset, it build discipline,all that make a person so strong

[@c0222]

Not even. It's differences in training culture. In Dagestan they train every day at 70/80% while in Europe and the Americas its a 100% effort but only training every 2 or 3 days.

[@urimtefiki226]

Tha wrestling is in their soul, and has a long tradition no country can be compared with them.

[@3lastname390]

Except for their neighbors like Ossetia

[@oneallah5281]

Before khabib they dominated Olympic wrestling

[@TypicalZain]

The best fighter to come is Usman who currently is the champion in the bellator. He’s the most talented fighter in the gym, he’s umars brother

[@MakHash420]

Absolute bang on assessment of the caucasus region as in whole. Those dagestani and chechen lads are wild

[@joshf-w9602]

More over all those ex Soviet states which includes Kazakhstan, kyrgistan, Uzbekistan, etc Although no longer part of the USSR all the coaches from there would’ve been part of that Soviet era system

[@El_turco82]

The people forget also that Islam has almost the longest win streak in UFC,he have won 14 fights in a row,only Anderson Silva have more with 16 win streak,so if he keep fighting like that maybe he can brake the record and that almost unbeatable as far as the record is concerned

[@magixian07]

Andeson Silva had 17 streak... Kumaru Usman had 16 streak... Islam is on 14 winning streaks now. the most in current ufc fighters... win against Arman will made Islam 4 title defenses in LW... this will be the most title defense for LW... # Islam is on track to be the LW goat...

[@El_turco82]

@@magixian07 Not entirely true, Kamaru actually has a 14 win streak and with the ultimate fighter finale a 15 win streak you miscounted 😁also Anderson silva have not 17 he have 16 win streak,but doens't matter every one should get the point what i have write. Like you have said,if islam wins against arman damn then the people must accept that he is the goat.

[@shoibkhuroo]

Its simple Hard times create hard men

[@TypicalZain]

Love this

[@TheDanielDare]

Why aren’t you putting the full episode up on here Jim

[@FizzSix]

Dagi dudes are different… another breed of human altogether.

[@niconicoo5661]

Georgia has 2 current champs why is no one saying this. Its the kaukasus mountainsssssss

[@adalb.8232]

Won't be 2 for long

[@niconicoo5661]

@adalb.8232 we will see

[@3lastname390]

As an American mma fan, I totally agree. That region was always a hot bed for wrestling and combat sports. Brazil has a rich history of dominance in the UFC/MMA. The Caucasus Region is the new Brazil. And the Nurmagomedov are the new Gracie.

[@niconicoo5661]

@@adalb.8232 we will see

[@altappomaktappo7060]

because one is claiming to be Spanish and the other one is so boring nobody cares

[@iluvatarchem]

Yes it's the "juiced out of my mind" level.

[@almurabitun]

Kazakhstan is Central Asia .Dagestan is historically Asia nestled above Iran but currently occupied by Russia but the Caucuses is culturally Asia and NOT Eastern Europe.

[@tarzanstrickland]

thats not true. They are definitely both. They have been involved in European and Asian history, thats why they are considered a border region... They can and are commonly referred to as indigenous Eastern Europeans... The Eastern Roman Empire involved that region, and many of the Emperors were of Armenian descent... Georgia and Armenia are both Christian nations, which is more European. Dagestan is literally officially a European place... Georgia and Armenia are also considered Eastern Europe by many official sources including the World Atlas

[@tarzanstrickland]

im not surprised by your profile picture that you would try to claim it is Asia... definitely no bias there 😂 Merab himself refers to Georgia and Georgian people as European.. Arman, Khabib and Islam are all comfortable referring to themselves as Russian, with Armans family moving from Georgia to Russia when he was young. They are indigenous Caucasians. Khabib is an Caucasian Avar, Makhachev is a Caucasian Lak. Armenia and Georgia both consider themselves geopolitically European. Even just looking at them it is fully realistic to say they are Eastern European people, they look much like Italians, Croats, Albanians and Greeks.

[@W67w]

During the golden age of Islam, the best fighters in the army were the Turks who originated from central Asia. They were so tough, they were the defacto rulers (seljuks). Some were brought in as slaves to be trained as fighters and they were the ones who beat the fearsome Mongols. They eventually became rulers (mamluks).

[@amkkma]

Are you turkish?

[@TheMaga233]

Dagestan is the southeast Russian border, washed by the Caspian see from one side and surrounded by the northern Caucasus mountain ridge, neighbor to Chechnya, and bordering with Azerbaijan, Georgia by land and Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran by sea. Dagestan used to be one of the centers of the Silk way and fought every major empire there was, Mongols, Arabs, Persians and Alexander the Great. Finally after a 150 year old long Russian empire colonization of Caucasus and direct 35 year old war again Russian Empire became the part of it.

[@OopsPoops]

Name one of our national who is Turkish or Iranian, except Azerbaijanian ppl who live in south of Dagestan (with all respect for them, and they are our brothers and dagestanians as well)

[@tarzanstrickland]

@@lll-qr4yu thats not true... They are native people of the Caucuses... Khabib is an Avar, Islam is a Lak... These are indigenous Caucasian tribes... not to be mistaken for the people of other regions that go by the same name... The Avars and Laks of the Caucasus are the indigenous peoples of those regions, and THEY were invaded by foreign people who brought the Muslim religion there.

[@ricardzubimendifelip9039]

Islam has a more technical striking than Kahbib and he is a lot more patient in the octagon, but he's not as dominant as Kahbib, not as aggressive and the fact that he has pretty much never lost a round in 29 fights just puts him above Makachev.

[@CoryKolodzieski]

I kind of agree with you. Khabib was def more dominant but Islam is an overall better fighter. Khabib had one area that he was miles above everyone else his wrestling, pressure, and ground and pound. Islam is better grappling and striking by far and overall a more complete and better fighter. I honestly believe Islam is the best fighter that we've ever seen

[@jonnyandali]

He needs to work on his geography. Dagestan isn't the China side. 😅

[@レーキムの皮]

He probably thought it was near Kazakhstan

[@tarzanstrickland]

exactly it could be called the Ukrainian side.. The Caucus extended north to Ukraine before Russia claimed that land. They are not Central Asian, but indigenous Caucasians, Eastern European

[@Artur.Dimaev]

I'm from Chechnya, we are ethnically caucasian located in eastern europe

[@c0222]

I don't remember Charles Ollivon losing a lightweight title tbh.

[@monirahmed5246]

We aren't in an Eastern Europe era of fighting with all due respect It is more like a Central Asian era.

[@joshf-w9602]

Depends on where your continental map lies but more over I think having that inherited Soviet system is a big part of it

[@andresarancibia780]

Tagir Ulanbekov will open the card and he is also in Khabib's team.

[@ars7714]

What the hell Eastern Europe, what are you talking about, you are misleading your listeners. Eastern Europe is Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, former Yugoslavia, Hungary! All Warsaw Pact countries except the USSR. If you look at where the Caucasus is, it is the East, Orient, not Eastern Europe. And then, Dagestan does NOT dominate in Russia, fighters from Chechnya, Ossetia, Urals, Siberia and other regions are worthy competitors to Dagestan in wrestling and MMA, in striking martial arts they will be even better. But for some reason the UFC does not sign Russian and Chechen fighters, unless they represent other countries + Khabib made Dagestan famous.

[@MaxPayne-fi1mz]

Georgia is about to join EU

[@tarzanstrickland]

nah Georgia, Armenia, Dagestan are considered Eastern Europe.

[@aftabon]

Is this a casual channel 😅😅

[@MJB_18]

Listening to a casual about MMA is so painful! Why is Adam, a respected combat journalist, even going on this channel

[@REALBROWNZ]

Let me be clear. These fights are NOT eastern European.

[@AbdulKahar]

He is only talking about the UFC fighters. There are also more great fighters in other promotions like Usman Nurmagomedov in Bellator

[@bosvarkd8403]

Malcolm Marx would have been a good mma fighter ...lol

[@ShadiQaid]

Come ooooon guys Islam is the best now , but Habib on another level, how come you said Islam better when habib beats every one in the gym including islam himself.dont be sick habib is on another level will mule anyone by his grappling

[@mrnomad1737]

Land of Imam Shamil...warrior society mountain people with harsh environment and tough life makes people tough.

[@onceupongeorgia]

Sod you hear guys, it’s china side of Russia, they talking about Chechnya and Dagestan 😅😂😂😊

[@fadhli4413]

👍

[@ЭльдарРамазанов-ъ2д]

Dazekstan 😅 Dagestan - is a north-eastern Caucasus. Kazakhstan - is a vast land between China and Caspian See

[@JohnDoe-iq9bz]

Dagestan is a republic of the Russian Federation. So in other words, Dagestanis are Russian citizens. Khabib, Islam, Umar etc all travel with Russian passports and identify as Russians. Let's not pretend that Dagestan is some independent country lol. Same goes for Chechnya & Chechens!

[@SA0450]

The host was just a hater and trying to be sarcastic. How can u be a fan of paddy but not know the dagestani fighters? They are the top guys in ufc rn

[@onestare-motors4655]

Please say Dagestan Russia. Dagestan is a region in Russia. Many people are starting to think Dagestan is a country!))

[@Itech-Hut]

China side?? The blind leading the blind. Loool

[@Ismael-ge6gv]

Isn't Dagestan and Kazakhstan in ASIA?? Not eastern EU

[@Masculinity_Central]

WTF, Dagestan is not near to China... common man

[@warriors221]

Dagestan is not china side of Russia it's in eastern Europe side of Russia

[@ks10011]

Dagestan is in the west of Russia not beside China

[@Michf666]

Its not China side of Russia .. its north caucasus of eastern europe

[@garywhiteman8837]

Dagestan is by the caucasus mountains not near china

[@bbcmotd]

Dagestan and Chechnya are parts of Russia lmao Both are not "China side", but instead bordering Georgia and Azerbaijan

[@zakaryahamzeh3439]

they aren’t closer to the china side they are closer to Europe and middle east

[@m_saqibali]

0:57 really? I call BS lol

[@Geknight]

Thats not the country thats the caucasus region dagestan chechnya georgia armenia most succesful fighters also wrestlers in the world

[@jamalsaidov2488]

Jim where did u find China near 🤔 it is closer to Italy then to China 😅

[@MihaiDolganiuc]

It’s true. Islam is better than Khabib. Simply better striking and almost as good wrestling.

[@feirand]

I don't know why they keep referring to it as Eastern Europe. It is in Asia and bordering Europe (the caucuses that is) and Kazakhstan is smack in the middle of central Asia. The vast majority of what is Russia is in Asia. Geography seems to have skipped these guys.

[@tarzanstrickland]

The Caucasus are definitely considered Eastern Europe by most people, especially by those who are geography experts. Georgia, Armenia, Dagestan are considered European

[@Adeel808s]

China side? just look at a map for once.

[@Shaker123445678]

China side of Russia !! WTF

[@IbraTsory]

What??? China side of Russia 😂😂😂😂 are you joking

[@yknows3158]

Shavkat is not as dominant as the dagi brothers

[@SocialScientist-f1w]

It’s not Eastern Europe it’s Central Asia. Stop Eurocentrism for god’s sake

[@ETS186]

Dagestanis are the original Caucasians pretty much.

[@vajidali530]

It's not because they're 'Dagestani' it's because they have nothing else to do... If I got Birmingham for example and made every boy wrestle (hypothetically) and I find 30k boys that show a proficiency in wrestling... Let's filter out 15k that are good at it. Out of those 15k let's again filter out the top 5k that are great at wrestling.... Now out of those 5k let's focus on the ones that can be elite.... Let's get let's say 150...and out of that 150 let's focus on 4 that can be Olympic quality wrestlers and greats.. It's just a numbers game. You have to consider that for every khabib coming through there will be 100's of mediocre fighters. That whole caucasus region not just Dagestan is producing great fighters... Now we are on the cusp of a major mma war between Georgia and Dagestan 😂 merab, ilia and arman are coming for all the marbles. The real joke however is that Islam, khabib, umar usman etc ain't even the best wrestlers in Dagestan. Even though Russia was banned from the Olympics Dagestanis still won a ton of gold medals fighting for other countries. Google sudalev for example he has no intention of doing mma but makes Islam and khabib wrestling look mediocre.

[@therageandthepride]

😂no, not at all, brimingham and uk men,mostly are gay

[@vajidali530]

@therageandthepride nah most of the guys that bummed u were deffo gay. Its nearly 2025, no need to be ashamed.

[@farahayman9946]

Not Eastern Europe, it's Western Asia we are not living going Colonial Europe.

[@viciouslydelicious]

better than khabib? islam is good guys but khabib never lost rounds even in practice. who did he practice with all those years!?

[@moeedmajeed]

Why can’t the host pronounce anything? It’s embarrassing

[@frankiecal3186]

"Deadliest".......lol🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Jos-z5v]

It’s got nothing to do with religion otherwise why don’t Muslims from outside of that region dominate also? The only other champ is Belal who is in one of the weakest divisions. Outside of mma, what sports do Muslims dominate in? None whatsoever. Look at the two biggest Muslim populations. Pakistan, their most played sport is cricket and they aren’t even top 4 in the world. Then Indonesia, their most played sport is football and they are ranked 125th in the world. Badminton is second and the Chinese dominate more, Indonesia are joint second with a largely non-religious country in South Korea (over 60% aren’t religious) religion in sport is nonsense.

[@shabirahmed2398]

They are Sunnis Muslims who follow Sufism. Their faith in their religion is Rock solid.

[@niconicoo5661]

@@shabirahmed2398 what does it have to do with faith ????????? All of kaukasians dominate the ufc. Be they christians or muslims

[@FazsterHQ]

Erm the old Dagestanis may have been sufis but current day are mostly Salafi/athari in aqeedah. That’s coming from someone that’s actually been there.

[@shabirahmed2398]

Chechens and And Dagistanis mainly follow Sufi practices(Christi and Naqshabandi). They absolutely despise the wahabi/salafis.

[@Mersey_basileus]

Weight bully and leg hug = best mma base

[@BuRidah-777]

Look up mma rules. You must be new to the fight game.

[@doubledecker1094]

Dag dog

[@abdq4712]

Dagestan isn't China side at all, it's just north of eastern Turkey. Shavkat isn't as good as the top Caucasus mountain fighters, his wrestling is very mediocre.

[@Антоха313]

@@abdq4712 next.time you will See shavkat Wrestling

[@onetwothree7502]

If they are so deadly, why there is no such thing as Dagestan on The Map of The World? Think about it.