Dagestan: Land of Warriors
Dagestan: Land of Warriors. Secrets of fiercest Russian MMA fighters’ training system
In recent years, Mixed Martial Arts have attracted huge attention, and fighters from Dagestan, in the Russian Caucasus, have come to dominate the sport. To find out their secrets, Paul Capaldo, a 22 year old MMA fighter from New Jersey, has decided to come and train in Dagestan. He was invited by Timur Aliev, a successful MMA fighter in the United States.
In the first episode of Dagestan: Land of Warriors, Timur takes Paul around Dagestan’s capital, Makhachkala to show him how the local fighting culture is passed on from generation to generation. At kids’ playgrounds, young boys, inspired by the success of MMA stars such as Zabit Magomedsharipov, exhibit an impressive work ethic.
Paul and Timur also get in some grappling during a training session at Timur’s legendary home gym. This is where Zabit and UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov acquired their skills. As he catches his breath, Timur sums up the Dagestani approach: “These young guys tried to kill me. But it’s OK, it’s how we grow up!”
