Makhachev reveals how Khabib rescued him in a 500-a-side school brawl in Dagestan

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has shared a vivid story from his youth in Dagestan, describing how a young Khabib Nurmagomedov rescued him during a mass school brawl involving roughly 500 boys on each side. Makhachev recounted the incident in an interview with Red Corner MMA, offering a rare glimpse into the childhood bond between two of the sport’s most decorated fighters.

Makhachev, now 28-1 as a professional, explained that his school’s side was struggling against older opponents when Nurmagomedov — three years his senior and undefeated at 29-0 in his own career — arrived with a group of friends to even the odds.

“Once we had a scuffle 500 vs. 500, school vs. school,” Makhachev said. “And we were too young, but on the other side they had older guys, so we struggled against them. We needed some fire. Then Khabib and some of his friends — Hussein, Musa — joined us. Things turned our way and the other guys started running away. They just jumped in their cars and we gained confidence.”

Both fighters grew up in the mountains of Dagestan, a region they have each described as demanding a certain toughness from a young age. Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have spoken on multiple occasions about navigating street confrontations as boys, and the story adds context to the deep personal loyalty that has defined their relationship throughout their MMA careers.

Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 with a perfect record, has since become a central figure in Makhachev’s corner and career development. The anecdote underlines how that partnership stretches back well before either man set foot inside an octagon.