Undefeated UFC Phenom Afraid of Fighting ‘Older Brother’ Islam Makhachev

What sets Russian fighters, particularly those from Dagestan, apart? It’s their profound Muslim brotherhood and the deep respect they share for one another. From sharing meals to sparring side by side, these combatants have redefined loyalty within the fight world, setting a standard that transcends just the Dagestani community. This bond extends even to their friends outside of Russia. A prime example of this is Belal Muhammad. Now the reigning welterweight champion, the Palestinian-American publicly expressed his gratitude for Islam Makhachev and Team Khabib’s support, even going so far as to dismiss the idea of fighting him.

This gesture of respect stems from their shared mentorship under UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, reflecting just one chapter in the Dagestani brotherhood’s impactful MMA journey, which is rich with such moments of camaraderie. Recently, another page was turned in this ongoing story. Undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev made an appearance on the Overdog Podcast, where the host brought up Evloev’s rise as the leading contender for the featherweight title.

The host asked, “Let’s say you become champion and successfully defend your title three times. How would a fight between you and Islam Makhachev look?” Evloev swiftly shut down the idea of facing Makhachev, saying, “Me and Islam? This guy can kill me because he’s my older brother. I am never gonna fight him.”

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