Is Umar Nurmagomedov Related to Islam Makhachev?

“Friendship is everything… It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family.” This iconic quote from The Godfather by Mario Puzo rings true within the MMA world, especially when it comes to Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team. ‘The Eagle’ and his late father and coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov established the motto over a decade ago under the UFC banner, and they passed it down through generations.

Now, under the leadership of Khabib, his Dagestani “brothers,” Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, are set to dominate at UFC 311. Following in his father’s footsteps, ‘The Eagle’ has molded his team with unwavering dedication and love. Despite the strong bond they share, many still question: Is the Nurmagomedov family and the current 155lbs champ related by blood? Do they share any family ties? Let’s dive deeper into the roots of this legendary team, straight from the heart of Dagestan.

Are Umar and Islam related?

When it comes to blood relatives, Umar Nurmagomedov shares his surname with Khabib, Usman, and others in the Nurmagomedov kin who grew up with a rather better lifestyle. In contrast, Islam Makhachev, who has an elder brother named Kurbanismail Makhachev, didn’t have the same luxuries. Kurbanismail played a crucial role in supporting Islam’s career, working multiple jobs to help the 155lbs kingpin rise to become one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history.

As for their backgrounds, the ‘Nurmagomedovs’ are part of the Avars, the largest ethnic group in Dagestan. Makhachev, however, hails from the ‘Laks‘, also known as Lakia, a minority ethnic group in Dagestan’s North Caucasus region. Although some consider the Laks a subgroup of the Avars, their distinct language and culture sometimes question their connection.

Despite these cultural differences, geographical proximity strengthens their bond. Both Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev come from different backgrounds, but it was Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov who united these two exceptional fighters. Shared values and a sense of family, extending beyond blood ties, explain their strong relationship.

Islam shares a funny story about Umar Nurmagomedov

Imagine growing up with someone, training together, living together, and traveling to local events side by side. How deep could that friendship be? This is the kind of bond shared between Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Though there are a few years between them, their untold stories and collective experiences could fill an entire lifetime.

One such story came to light this week during the UFC 311 pre-fight press conference when Islam Makhachev shared a humorous moment with the media:

“I have a story,” Makhachev began. “One time, we [Umar and Islam] were training in San Jose, and some of the guys decided to go to San Francisco.” However, Makhachev chose to stay behind and didn’t want to join them due to the ‘terrible’ traffic. “But they went anyway—four of them,” Makhachev added.

He continued, “Two hours later, I called them. ‘Hey, guys, did you make it to San Francisco?’ They said, ‘No…’ I asked, ‘What happened?’ They answered, ‘We stopped at a gas station, and Umar put diesel in our car.'” The car, which was presumed to be a petrol car, was temporarily inoperable due to the wrong fuel.

Now, all eyes are on Saturday night when the childhood duo, Islam Makhachev, and Umar Nurmagomedov, will step into the Octagon to face different formidable opponents in their respective weight classes. Both are primed to etch their names into UFC history. While they may not share the same blood, their bond runs deeper than any familial connection. Stay tuned for more updates.