Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legendary undefeated career remains etched in MMA history as a symbol of dominance. Although Khabib’s retirement came earlier than expected, his legacy as one of the sport’s most dominant fighters remains undisputed. A significant part of his success lies in his relentless work ethic and the region from which he hails — Dagestan.
In Dagestan, wrestling is more than a sport; it’s a way of life. While children in the West may play basketball or baseball, Dagestani youths grapple for fun. This deep-rooted culture of combat sports has propelled the region, with a population of just 3 million, to dominate the MMA world. Khabib passed on his UFC lightweight title to his childhood friend and teammate, Islam Makhachev, while his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, holds the Bellator lightweight championship.
Now, another title has been added to the growing collection of Team Khabib. Gadzhi Rabadanov, a fighter from their camp, defeated former Bellator champion Brent Primus in the 2024 PFL tournament finals to claim the PFL lightweight title and the $1 million prize.
Team Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, quickly celebrated the victory on social media, highlighting the global dominance of their fighters: “Now @TeamKhabib have every belt for every promotion around the world: [Islam Makhachev] UFC champion, [Usman Nurmagomedov] Bellator champion, [Gadzhi Rabadanov] PFL CHAMPION.”
Rabadanov, like his fellow Dagestani teammates, comes from a combat sambo background, excelling in grappling. Many expected his fight with Primus to unfold on the ground, but Rabadanov surprised everyone with a stunning knockout. In the third round, he dropped Primus face-first with a powerful right-left-right combination, solidifying his place alongside Makhachev and Usman as a top fighter from the region.
However, Rabadanov now faces a tough decision regarding his next move. As Bellator and the PFL are now under the same ownership, with PFL’s Donn Davis having hosted the first-ever PFL X Bellator mega-event, the possibility of another cross-promotional event looms. Should this happen, Rabadanov may have to fight Usman Nurmagomedov, his fellow Dagestani and teammate from the AKA gym.
Known for their tight-knit relationships, members of Team Khabib rarely fight each other. Rabadanov would undoubtedly face a dilemma if forced into a fight against Usman, as it would be the most lucrative match of his career. Moreover, the PFL might present Rabadanov with no alternative but to face Usman. How Rabadanov navigates this situation will reveal how strongly the “no fighting teammates” rule holds within the AKA gym.
Rabadanov’s victory marks another significant achievement for Team Khabib, but the next chapter for the rising star is filled with questions about loyalty, competition, and what it means to be a champion in a sport that’s constantly evolving.
Leave a Reply