Islam Explains Russian Takeover: ‘Our Guys Live For This’

None of the current male UFC champions were born in the United States, and it’s not a controversial statement to say the US-based MMA is in decline. Kayla Harrison is still proudly representing the stars and stripes, but when Belal Muhammad coughed up his title to Jack Della Maddalena and then Jon Jones (finally) retired, it was a real sign of the times.

UFC may travel the globe, but it’s a US-based company. It behooves the company to have American champions, contenders, and prospects in the mix. Those percentages seem to be shrinking, however, and former Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has the explanation.

“[The UFC] started signing more of our guys,” Makhachev said simply. “That’s the reason … If they keep signing [fighters from the Caucasus] I’m 100% sure there will be more champions from Caucasus, Dagestan, Chechnya. No brainer, our guys live for this sport. In the USA, for example, they don’t worry even if they competed bad. Behind our guys there is a family, the whole city, the whole Republic. And he feels this responsibility, and goes out with full responsibility and wins.”

What’s interesting is that a lot of top Russian talent is not inside the Octagon. Compare a recent episode of Contenders Series to an ACB event, and it’s clear which side holds the more skilled fighters. Only a select few are able to secure a UFC contract, and that small percentage is still capturing titles!

The other explanation for the decline of US fighters is likely financial. UFC simply doesn’t pay as well as other American sports promotions, so the absolute best athletes are unlikely to chose getting punched in the face if football or basketball is an option. Even coaching wrestling has become gained profitability in recent years, which helps explain why fewer collegiate All-Americans are crossing into the cage.