Their father farmed and drove a truck. Like many in Dagestan, both boys wanted to become great fighters, maybe someday in the UFC, which they had seen on television. Both had promise and hoped to train with the great Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,

A dominant victory over a late replacement, a subsequent 10-month layoff and breakthrough victories from contemporaries Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili were the only things of late holding former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev back from keeping the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings over the past year.

Just days after winning his second UFC title at Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev headed across the world to Doha to corner his teammate Saygid Izagakhmaev. The welterweight champion was joined by close friends such as Umar Nurmagomedov and Hasbulla in supporting his teammate.

Controversial UFC star surprises fans by praising Islam Makhachev after UFC 322, giving him credit for a dominant, well-executed title win.

Jack Della Maddalena has shared a messaged with fans after losing his welterweight title to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

Islam Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to become the promotion’s eleventh two-division champion. As predicted by Dana White, the result put the Dagestani star back atop the pound-for-pound heap.

Islam Makhachev has tied the UFC record of 16 straight wins after defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322.

Makhachev's dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to claim a second belt has many putting him in the greatest of all time conversation. However, former UFC welterweight champion Woodley still sees Makhachev's mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov's name associated with him.