Recent exchanges between UFC stars Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria have revived talk of a feud between two Caucasus regions.
Dagestan has a long history of producing some of the greatest fighters, including dominant teammates Khabib Nurmagomedov and Makhachev. They train alongside other standouts of the sport such as Khabib’s cousins, Umar and Usman.
In recent years, though, the nation of Georgia has risen to become an MMA powerhouse, with Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili notably winning UFC gold.
That’s led to inevitable comparisons between the two regions, especially given the deep wrestling roots embedded in the history of both.
Most recently, the connection between them has taken a somewhat dark turn after Makhachev and Topuria exchanged furious words on social media. Topuria even used Makhachev’s native language to insult him.
Roman Dolidze rejects talk of Dagestan vs Georgia despite Islam Makhachev-Ilia Topuria feud
The bitter feud between the two pound-for-pound stars comes months on from Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov’s title fight sparking Dagestan vs Georgia debates.
But according to Roman Dolidze, another Georgian standout making waves in the UFC, any legitimate hostile rivalry between the two regions is isolated to certain individuals.
“I will tell you from my perspective: for me, it’s very childish and doesn’t make sense,” Dolidze said during an appearance on Mike Perry’s Overdogs Podcast.
“I don’t like when people are bringing nationalities and countries into sport. For me, it’s just sport. I was raised like that. I never judge no man by his religion or his nationality. We always judge men by his actions.
“It’s very childish. I see and hear a lot in the UFC when some guys like to heat fights; they use these things,” Dolidze continued. “These guys, they just throw these words just to heat up fights and sell more.
“That’s why when they bring these things about Dagestan vs Georgia, I don’t agree.”
Ilia Topuria stirred talk of Dagestan-Georgia beef with UFC 311 reaction
In terms of some fighters fanning the flames of the potential beef, Topuria would appear to be one of them.
January saw the former UFC featherweight champion take a jab at Dagestan following Dvalishvili’s victory over Nurmagomedov in Los Angeles.
‘El Matador’ wrote on social media: “Merab, my brother, what a fighter you are! You make us feel so proud. This is what happens when Dagestani wrestling meets Georgian wrestling.”
While Topuria had hoped to share the cage next with a Dagestani in the form of Makhachev, the lightweight champion’s decision to move up in weight has scuppered those plans.
The Georgian-Spaniard will instead battle Brazil’s Charles Oliveira for the soon-to-be-vacant crown at UFC 317 on June 28.