In a shocking turn of events former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s home, Dagestan, has been rocked by violent ter***rist attacks. On Sunday, reports emerged that places of worship and a police checkpoint in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala were targeted by assailants in a horrifying incident that claimed the lives of 20 people, which included several law enforcement officials and civilians.

In further updates since, the authorities have indicated that the attackers have now been eliminated but one of the men was revealed to have been a former MMA fighter, Gadzhimurad Kagirov. As such, scrutiny has now been placed on all MMA gyms in the region, including Nurmagomedov’s ‘Eagles MMA’ so, let’s take a deeper look into all the information we have on the situation at this time.

Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Gadzhimurad Kagirov is “not our student” 

According to a report shared by CNN, the perpetrators of the Dagestan attacks included former MMA fighter Gadzhimurad Kagirov and relatives of a regional official. The 28-year-old Kagirov’s involvement in the attack was also shared in an update on X by James Porrazzo where he stated, “Long-time Khabib Nurmagomedov Affiliated Fighter Gadzhimurad Kagirov Among Dagestani Muslim Extremists Eliminated in Terror Attack. Kagirov is a disciple of Khabib’s father Abdulmanap and one of Nurmagomedov’s closest martial arts associates.”

However, the claims have been denied by Nurmagomedov, who responded in a statement shared by ‘Red Corner MMA’ where he revealed, “(The te***rist) is not our student, that is absolute nonsense, it’s not true. Yes, he had a camp at the gym at some point, maybe for a couple of months. But he was never part of the team.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s gym, ‘Eagles MMA’ was formed in November 2016 and the head coach was his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, while the former UFC lightweight champion served as the president and manager of the organization.

In his statement, ‘The Eagle’ also expressed his disbelief at the events that transpired in his hometown as he stated, “In Dagestan, over 30 nationalities, and of course, the majority practice Islam, but we also have Jews and Christians. This has never happened in 30-35 years, as long as I’ve lived in Dagestan.”

The incidents have sent shockwaves through the region, prompting a deep reflection on security measures and community cohesion in Dagestan as the authorities have also launched an investigation into all MMA gyms in the region, including ‘Eagles MMA’ for “extremist elements”

Authorities launch an investigation into “all Dagestani MMA gyms”  

In another update shared on X, James Porrazzo revealed that “The FSB has announced through Dagestani media that ALL Dagestani MMA gyms are being investigated and INSPECTED for religious extremist elements – especially Eagles MMA, the gym of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, where at least one terrorist trained.”

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, some of the assailants hailed from the Sergokalinsky district and were linked to Magomed Omarov, the district head. The involvement of a high-ranking official has also led to the removal of Omarov from his post and his expulsion from the United Russia Party.

Sergei Melikov, the head of Dagestan, in a statement reported by Al Jazeera, has revealed that “We understand who is behind the organization of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued, this is an attempt to cleave apart our unity.” As further investigations continue, the region grapples with the aftermath, seeking ways to restore peace and ensure such horrific events do not take place ever again.