Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of many major names in the combat world to pay tribute to the late Buvaisar Saitiev.
The former freestyle wrestler is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time in the sport, winning three Olympic gold medals and six world championships. It was reported by TASS and other Russian outlets today that he passed away at the age of just 49.
Islam Makhachev and Henry Cejudo were among the other world champions to write their condolences on social media for the legendary wrestler. After retiring from competition, Saitiev became the President of the Chechen Wrestling Federation, which he remained until his passing.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev pay tribute to Buvaisar Saitiev
A number of top MMA stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov took to social media to pay tribute to Buvaisar Saitiev upon reports of his passing today. The President of the Russian Wrestling Federation (RWF) Mikhail Mamiashvili initially reported that he had died, and cause of death is unknown.
Khabib wrote a message in Arabic and Russian which accompanied a photo of the pair together. His caption read: “May Allah forgive you, Brother. You inspired millions of children around the world, you will be missed. I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends, patience to you.”
Cejudo, a fellow Olympic wrestling champion, wrote a more lengthy tribute which read: “It’s hard to find words to describe how I’m feeling. He was a man that I looked up to growing up in the sport of wrestling.
“I remember winning and being part of the 2008 Olympic championship team and I was more honored to be there with him. A man that was poetry in motion at its finest, and in my opinion, the greatest athlete who has ever ever lived or walked on planet Earth. I would never Fanboy over anybody but Buvaisar.
“I was so honored of the times that I did get a chance to hang out as I had a permanent smile the whole day. Thank you for all the great years that you gave the Wrestling community and inspiring millions of people across the world.
“I can honestly say without @saitiev_74 I wouldn’t be the wrestler that I am today. Rest in peace, my hero, my legend and my great friend. 1975 -2025 RIP.”
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev had another message alongside a photo with Saitiev that read: “An era has passed. A legend has passed. My condolences to all your family and friends, we will miss you.”
Buvaisar Saitiev had legendary wrestling career
Saitiev is widely considered by many viewers and experts to be one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in the history of the sport. As a member of the Russian national team, he won gold at the 1996, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games in the 74kg or 163lb weight class.
He is also a six-time world champion, winning the gold in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005 during a legendary career. Combat sport expert and former Bloody Elbow editor-in-chief Luke Thomas paid tribute to his legacy in a tweet upon learning the news.
“Satiev has a legitimate claim to being the best (freestyle) wrestler ever,” Thomas wrote. “He won three Olympic gold medals and six world championships. Technical precision AND creativity.
“It’s hard to overstate Satiev’s influence on wrestling, even and especially among American wrestlers. A technical marvel who was comprehensively good. He was widely viewed as the premier standard of excellence in the sport.
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