Islam Makhachev explains why Dagestani teammates will never fight

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has explained that Dagestani teammates under Khabib Nurmagomedov's guidance will never compete against each other due to their close brotherhood bond. Nurmagomedov leads the tight-knit Dagestani squad, with members considering one another 'brothers' rather than rivals. The article, published August 13, 2026, also references Magomed Zaynukov recently making a successful appearance in the UFC.