Former UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev has delivered sharp commentary on the declining presence of American fighters on the high of MMA, pointing to basic variations in motivation and cultural help programs between fighters from the Caucasus area and their American counterparts.
The Dagestani fighter’s evaluation comes because the UFC faces a dramatic shift in championship demographics. As of August 2025, just one American holds UFC gold throughout all weight divisions. Kayla Harrison captured the ladies’s bantamweight title in June, making her the only real American champion after Jon Jones formally retired from heavyweight competitors.
Caucasus Dominance Reshapes UFC Panorama
Islam Makhachev attributes this shift to the UFC’s elevated recruitment of fighters from the Caucasus area, particularly Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia. Throughout a current interview, he defined the group’s evolving roster composition: “They simply began signing extra of our guys, that’s the rationale.”
Islam Makhachev
Talking in an interview with Islam Babadzhanov, Islam Makhachev defined:
“They simply began signing extra of our guys, that’s the rationale… our guys stay for this sport. Within the USA, for instance, they don’t fear even when they competed unhealthy. Behind our guys there’s a household, the entire metropolis, the entire Republic. And he feels this accountability, and goes out with full accountability and wins.”
The statistics help his remark. The present pound-for-pound rankings replicate this geographic transformation, with 4 of the highest fighters originating from Caucasus territories. Ilia Topuria from Georgia holds the primary spot, adopted by Makhachev at second, Georgian-American Merab Dvalishvili at third, and Chechen-born Khamzat Chimaev at fourth.
Latest championship adjustments additional illustrate this development. Khamzat Chimaev captured the middleweight title in August 2025 by defeating Dricus du Plessis, including to the area’s collection of UFC gold. Merab Dvalishvili has efficiently defended his bantamweight championship twice in 2025, cementing his place among the many elite.
Cultural Components Behind Combating Success
Islam Makhachev identifies cultural variations as the first issue separating Caucasus fighters from their American rivals. He argues that American fighters function with out the identical degree of exterior stress and accountability that drives fighters from his area. Makhachev acknowledged. He emphasised the broader help community that Caucasus fighters carry.
This angle aligns with observations from different Caucasus champions. Merab Dvalishvili has beforehand described how historic conflicts in Georgia created a preventing tradition the place “preventing is in our DNA”. The Georgian champion grew up throughout his nation’s civil battle interval, experiencing poverty that formed his dedication to succeed via fight sports activities.
Marketing and Language Barriers
Beyond fighting performance, Makhachev has addressed the marketing challenges faced by non-English-speaking fighters. He acknowledges that language barriers limit promotional opportunities for Caucasus athletes in the American-dominated UFC market.
“I agree, and that’s why I’m explaining – guys, be taught English and tips on how to promote your fights. That’s an vital factor; now we have to promote stay occasions and be fascinating to the general public,” Makhachev suggested fellow fighters from his area.
This recognition of promotional significance represents an evolution in Makhachev’s method since his early UFC profession, when he expressed dedication to enhance his English abilities to raised characterize himself to American audiences.
Historical Context and Future Projections
The current situation marks a significant departure from UFC’s historical championship distribution. The United States has produced 72 UFC champions throughout the organization’s history, far exceeding any other nation. However, this dominance has eroded rapidly in recent years.
American illustration in males’s divisions fully disappeared with Jones’ retirement, leaving Max Holloway because the highest-ranked American male fighter at quantity 12 within the pound-for-pound standings. In the meantime, Caucasus fighters proceed increasing their affect throughout a number of weight courses.
Makhachev expressed confidence on this development’s continuation: “Effectively, in the event that they preserve signing, I’m 100% positive there shall be extra champions from Caucasus. From Caucasus, Dagestan, Chechnya”.
The geographic concentration of elite fighters from the Caucasus region represents an unprecedented phenomenon in UFC history. Despite comprising approximately 0.2% of the world’s population, the Caucasus region now accounts for 37% of current UFC champions.
Wrestling traditions deeply embedded in Dagestan and surrounding territories present technical foundations for this success. The area’s historic emphasis on fight sports activities, mixed with financial necessity and cultural expectations, creates an setting the place preventing turns into each career and obligation for proficient athletes.
