Islam Makhachev explains why Dagestani teammates will never fight

Islam Makhachev’s team has strong camaraderie.

With Khabib Nurmagomedov at the helm, the Dagestani squad is known for their close bond. Nurmagomedov, Makhachev and their teammates consider each other “brothers.” With Magomed Zaynukov recently making a successful Ultimate Fighting Championship debut and Khabib’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, potentially headed to the UFC, there’s no chance of them fighting one another.

‘We’re all brothers’: Islam Makhachev opens up about bond within Dagestani team
Makhachev guarantees that lightweights Zaynukov and Usman, or any of their other teammates, will never fight each other. The former lightweight champ and reigning welterweight king can’t even fathom the idea of fighting his teammates, having essentially grown up together.

Makhachev was still climbing the rankings when Khabib was the UFC lightweight champion. Regardless, Makhachev could never imagine fighting “The Eagle,” who has been guiding him from the day he started training.

“We never fight, of course,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson. “How are you going to fight, bro, if you’re training many years together? ‘Chanco’ just came to Usman’s camp to help him, give him good rounds. Usman go to his camp to help him. How are they gonna fight each other? Also for myself, when Khabib became champion. When I began this sport, Khabib helped me from the first day. How are you gonna fight each other? It’s like friends; we’re all brothers. It’s not possible for our teammates to fight each other.”

Zaynukov (9-0) won his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year before making his Octagon debut this past July. Fellow 155-pound teammate Usman Nurmagomedov (22-0) exhausted his contract with the Professional Fighters League and is now a free agent, with rumors of a UFC move gathering momentum.

Meanwhile, Makhachev (28-1) is scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.