When you hear the name Magomedov, there’s a good chance your mind immediately goes to the wave of elite Russian fighters dominating the UFC, most notably those associated with Team Khabib. The name evokes strength and an undeniable connection to the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose undefeated career and Hall of Fame status have solidified him as one of the greatest to ever step into the Octagon. It’s no surprise, then, that when a fighter like Abus Magomedov enters the conversation, fans immediately wonder: “Is he from Dagestan? Is he part of that same legacy?” The association is natural, especially with the Nurmagomedov name becoming synonymous with excellence in MMA.

The 27-6-1 middleweight is preparing for a high-stakes return to the cage against the surging Michel Pereira. But before we dive into that upcoming clash, let’s take a closer look at who Abus really is—his nationality, his roots, and whether he shares more than just a last name with the Dagestani dynasty.

Where is Abus Magomedov from? Ethnicity and nationality

Abusupiyan Magomedov was born on September 2, 1990, in Dagestan, Russia. Though originally from Russia and holding Russian nationality, he now lives in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he trains and represents Germany in the UFC. He joined the promotion in 2021, but before that, he built his career through various organizations such as Outsider Cup, Kiru, Tempel Fight School, Superior Fighting Championship, and German MMA Championship, among others.

The surging 185fer was introduced to combat sports early in life, growing up in Dagestan, a region where fighting is deeply ingrained in the culture. His involvement in MMA began at a young age. At 15, his family moved to Germany due to his mother’s illness, which couldn’t be properly treated back home. Thankfully, she recovered, and the family decided to stay in Germany permanently.

He spoke about this transition during an interview with the UFC in 2022, sharing insights into his early life and what Germany means to him now: “I am almost German. I was a child when I came to Germany,” he said. “I was 15 years old, and my brothers, father, and mother are also in Germany. So it was not so hard because everybody was there. In the beginning, it was, but now it’s like my home.”

It was in Germany where Magomedov was first introduced to kickboxing, which eventually paved the way for his MMA career. He considers his father his hero and credits his family’s support for helping him adjust to life in a new country. Although he has lived in Dagestan, there is no direct connection between Nurmagomedov and Abus. Magomedov even took to Instagram in 2023, where he posted “#TeamKhabib,” and Khabib responded, “It was nice to meet you, brother.”

What language does Abus Magomedov speak?

After moving to Germany at the age of 15 and choosing to stay, Abus Magomedov has become fluent in German. Interestingly, he also speaks English quite well, a skill that was on full display during his Octagon interview following his UFC debut against Dustin Stoltzfus, where he secured a dominant first-round finish. Although a translator relayed Michael Bisping’s questions into French for the Paris audience, Magomedov confidently responded in English.

On social media, Magomedov primarily uses English for his Instagram captions, though he occasionally posts in German. One example is a DAZN interview clip he shared, which was conducted entirely in German.

Magomedov’s journey to the UFC hasn’t been easy. He faced challenges early in life, including his mother’s illness and the upheaval of relocating to a new country. But those struggles also shaped his path and fueled the drive that brought him to the sport’s biggest stage. Despite the hurdles, the middleweight star has been determined to fulfill his dreams. And he is going another step forward in his goal as he is set to fight Michel Pereira at UFC on ESPN 66. Who do you think will come out on top? Tell us in the comments below!