Dagestan’s rugged landscape breeds warriors unlike any other. These cold mountain lands forge fighters with an indomitable spirit – men who embody resilience through their very existence. And this isn’t any different for the barrage of fighters in the UFC from this part of the world. Champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev aren’t just fighters; they’re living legends who carry their homeland’s warrior tradition.

A recent viral Instagram video perfectly captures their essence: Makhachev and Khabib on horseback, with Islam, characteristically challenging another rider to a confrontation. The caption, “Islam Makhachev is a menace,” hilariously underscores his combative nature – even on horseback, he’s ready to throw down.

The current lightweight kingpin exemplified this warrior-like ethos through his connection to both combat sports and pastoral life. At UFC 311, Makhachev faced viral speculation about a video seemingly showing him attempting to wrestle a horse. When questioned, he responded with characteristic humor and clarity: “A horse?” he asked, sounding bewildered. “I don’t see this video, no, no. A horse is one of my favorite animals, not wrestling, I am friends with horses,” effectively deflecting the rumors.

The throwback video captures the essence of the Dagestani warrior spirit. Makhachev rides through mountainous terrain, challenging another horseman to a confrontation. Despite the initial refusal, Makhachev playfully persists before turning away. The scene dramatically shifts when Khabib arrives atop the mountain on a black steed, looking like an ancient warrior – a moment that further electrified fans’ admiration.

Owning a vast farm with nearly 1,000 animals, including horses and sheep, Islam Makhachev embodies the deep agricultural roots that complement his fighting career. Seeing these two fan favorites outside the Octagon in their zone, the MMA community couldn’t hold back and had a flurry of emotions. Let’s see what they had to say!

Fans react to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev’s horse-riding skills

UFC fans erupted with creative comparisons after the viral horse-riding video featuring Khabib and Islam Makhachev, drawing parallels to various anime and TV characters. They were moved by the clip and loved the duo’s horse-riding skills. One follower commented, “These guys are warriors from the Stone Age,” while another said, “Final boss.”

One fan even compared Khabib Nurmagomedov to the fan-favorite protagonist Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. They said, “Khabib looks like Jon Snow” One follower even compared the undefeated Hall of Famer to a legendary and ‘undefeated’ character from Attack on Titan saying, “Bro is Levi Ackerman.”

Khabib himself has been characteristically humble about his horse-riding skills, captioning his Instagram post: “I am not much of a horse rider, although I have a couple of good horses given to me by friends but Islam Makhachev doesn’t leave me alone. Among my subscribers, there are many riding lovers?”

Not all comments were flattering. One critique noted Makhachev’s horse handling as “A horse owner’s nightmare. Disrespectful pulling his mouth from side to side like that.” The most vivid description came from a fan who wrote: “Khabib showed up like an ancient warlord.” These reactions highlight how Dagestani fighters transcend typical athletic personas, embodying a mythical warrior image that captivates global audiences. Drop your reactions in the comment section below!