Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has delivered sharp commentary on the declining presence of American fighters at the top of MMA, pointing to fundamental differences in motivation and cultural support systems between fighters from the Caucasus region and their American counterparts.
The Dagestani fighter’s assessment comes as the UFC faces a dramatic shift in championship demographics. As of August 2025, only one American holds UFC gold across all weight divisions. Kayla Harrison captured the women’s bantamweight title in June, making her the sole American champion after Jon Jones officially retired from heavyweight competition.
Caucasus Dominance Reshapes UFC Landscape
Islam Makhachev attributes this shift to the UFC’s increased recruitment of fighters from the Caucasus region, specifically Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia.