Jul 28, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) defeats Kajan Johnson (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

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Guy Who Got “Sent To Dagestan 2-3 Years” Used To Train With Islam Makhachev’s Potential Rival!

Spanish guy who was sent to Dagestan for "2-3 years" has his training roots with potential rival of Islam Makhachev!

The rugged mountains of Dagestan have become something of a holy land for wrestling enthusiasts around the world. This remote Russian republic, home to legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, has developed a reputation for producing fighters with seemingly unbeatable grappling skills.

The region’s success has created a fascinating folklore in MMA circles. Islam Makhachev’s offer to Daniel Cormier to send his son “two-three years in Dagestan and forget ” has become a running meme, but not one without merit. What started as a lighthearted comment has now become reality for at least one ambitious fighter!

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The Guy Who Got Sent “2-3 Years In Dagestan”

Islam Makhachev recently shared a video that brought this meme to life. The UFC lightweight champion posted footage of himself interviewing a tired Spanish fighter who had actually taken the plunge. The exhausted athlete admitted he was “good, but so tired” after training in the notoriously tough Dagestani wrestling rooms.

“First guy to come to Dagestan for how many? Yes, 2-3 years, sent him to Dagestan,” siad Makhachev.

Someone actually sent their kid to Dagestan to train with Islam Makhachev 😂

“First guy who come to Dagestan… 2-3 years send him to Dagestan.” 😭😭

🎥 @MAKHACHEVMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/39MyPuopQw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 15, 2025

The comment references Makhachev’s now-famous advice to Daniel Cormier about sending his son to train in Dagestan if he wanted him to develop “high-level wrestling.” But this guy has some previous high level experience and with someone that may very well be Makhachev’s next opponent.

The Spanish Fighter’s Connection To Ilia Topuria

What makes this story even more interesting is the Spanish fighter’s previous training history. Before making the journey to the mountains of Dagestan, this ambitious prospect spent considerable time working with none other than Ilia Topuria.

The former UFC featherweight champion has been making waves not just for his fighting skills but also for his outspoken challenges directed at Makhachev. Topuria, who represents both Georgia and Spain, has been angling for a shot at becoming a two-division champion by facing the Dagestani at lightweight.

👀 The guy from Spain who got “sent to Dagestan for 2-3 years” and is currently inside Islam Makhachev’s gym looks like he used to train with Ilia Topuria

has Ilia Topuria sent a spy or something? 😂 pic.twitter.com/T4ZokxDgTv
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 16, 2025

The fighter making this Dagestani pilgrimage previously trained at Topuria’s gym in Spain. He learned striking fundamentals and grappling techniques from the man who now stands as one of Makhachev’s biggest potential rivals. This creates an interesting dynamic where the fighter has experienced both worlds; the flashier, more striking-oriented approach of Topuria’s camp and now the grinding, wrestling-heavy methodology of Dagestan.

The story represents more than just a training journey. A Spanish fighter traveling to a remote region of Russia to learn wrestling techniques represents the sport’s global evolution. The cross-pollination of fighting styles has been happening for decades, dating back to when Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners first clashed with wrestlers and strikers in the early UFC events.

(Image Credit: Sergei Belski – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!