Islam
Makhachev once used a one-liner to invite Daniel
Cormier’s kids to Dagestan, and the rest is history.
Makhachev’s advice to Cormier for his kids was “send 2-3 years
Dagestan and forget.” The phrase has since become a part of
sporting folklore, transcending the world of MMA. Makhachev
recently revealed that almost every athlete he meets from any sport
reminds him of his famous one-liner. Makhachev claims tennis icon
Novak Djokovic once told him that his phrase is used in the 2026
Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain’s locker room.
Makhachev also recalls former boxing heavyweight champion Anthony
Joshua seeking his approval to print T-shirts saying “2-3 years
Dagestan.”
A Lasting Impact
“Whoever I meet, any athlete, any level,” Makhachev told Adam Zubayraev. “..I met Djokovic,
Djokovic told me that in the PSG locker room they say, ‘Hey, send
him to Dagestan for 2-3 years.’ I’m not really sure how it spreads.
Joshua, the boxer, comes up to me and says, ‘I want to go for two
or three years, can I make a t-shirt that says 2-3 years Dagestan?’
I told him, ‘Of course you can.’”
Makhachev (28-1) also admits that he has helped boost “sporting
tourism” in Dagestan. The UFC welterweight champion revealed that
his gym is mostly crowded with people wanting photographs or to
join a training session. Makhachev is currently scheduled to defend
his welterweight title against Ian Garry
(17-1) at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.