The Curse Of Being a Dagestani Fighter
The dominance of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev has undeniably raised the bar for Dagestani fighters in MMA.
Their relentless, suffocating style has created an expectation of utter domination, leaving fans somewhat unimpressed by anything less.
Even skilled fighters like Umar Nurmagomedov and Usman Nurmagomedov, despite strong performances, struggle to meet these lofty expectations.
We've become so accustomed to witnessing Khabib and Islam dismantle their opponents that a decisive victory simply doesn't generate the same level of excitement.
It's similar to developing a tolerance, not to a substance, but to exceptional talent. The standard of "good" has been redefined, and what was once considered impressive now pales in comparison to the suffocating mastery of their predecessors.
This phenomenon presents a unique challenge for the next generation of Dagestani fighters, who must not only strive for victory but also for the kind of overwhelming dominance that has become synonymous with their region's fighting tradition.
Every Dagestani Fighter probably has nightmares about Islam asking "who give this guy the fight."
The dominance of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev has undeniably raised the bar for Dagestani fighters in MMA.
Their relentless, suffocating style has created an expectation of utter domination, leaving fans somewhat unimpressed by anything less.
Even skilled fighters like Umar Nurmagomedov and Usman Nurmagomedov, despite strong performances, struggle to meet these lofty expectations.
We've become so accustomed to witnessing Khabib and Islam dismantle their opponents that a decisive victory simply doesn't generate the same level of excitement.
It's similar to developing a tolerance, not to a substance, but to exceptional talent. The standard of "good" has been redefined, and what was once considered impressive now pales in comparison to the suffocating mastery of their predecessors.
This phenomenon presents a unique challenge for the next generation of Dagestani fighters, who must not only strive for victory but also for the kind of overwhelming dominance that has become synonymous with their region's fighting tradition.
Every Dagestani Fighter probably has nightmares about Islam asking "who give this guy the fight."