Islam makhachev fighting in UFC 302. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
Islam makhachev was blunt when commenting on the difficult situation the United States is experiencing within the UFC. In an interview with 'Ushatayka,' the Russian pointed out a possible explanation for the fact that North American athletes are increasingly absent from title fights and, more than that, practically disappearing among the current champions.
For Makhachev, the success of Caucasus athletes isn't a coincidence, but rather a result of a different mindset and a greater commitment to the sport. The region boasts standouts like himself, Khamzat Shimaev e Magomed Ankalayev.
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"They (UFC) started hiring more guys from our region. That's why we have so many champions now. These fighters carry an entire family, a city, even a republic on their shoulders. They enter the octagon with full responsibility. In the United States, many don't even care when they compete poorly," said Islam.
Furthermore, the Russian believes that the UFC has recently opened up to talents from outside the traditional MMA framework, which has boosted the rise of athletes with different trajectories, often shaped by adverse social and economic situations.
“If the UFC continues to sign more fighters from our region, you can be sure that even more champions will come from the Caucasus,” added the lightweight champion.
At the time, Kayla harrison She is the only representative of the United States with a UFC belt, reigning in the women's bantamweight division (up to 61,2 kg). All other champions in the organization are foreign, with a strong presence of fighters from Russia, Europe, Australia, and Brazil.
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