Ardent fans of MMA and especially Khabib Nurmagomedov are in for a treat. In what looks like an advanced version of the Dagestani basketball that Nurmagomedov made famous, it is now seen being played inside a cage. In a short clip posted by Playmaker sports, it showed two sides of three players each dunking and wrestling all together while Khabib Nurmagomedov watched on.

The Dagestani was reportedly supporting his team, which goes by the name of ‘Abdulmanap’s school’ in remembrance of his father. Fans were quick to react to this clip, with most of them surprised at this hybrid form of basketball.

Fans react to the clip of ‘Batyrball’ as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s school is reportedly one of the teams competing.

The sport organized by NAIZA, an MMA promotion based out of Kazakhstan, is being sold by the name of ‘Batyrball’. Batyr apparently means a highly respected man in Kazakhstan. 

This particular video showed multiple angles of the game as the players took down their opponent while some tried shooting a 3-pointer. Although the rules are not very clear, it appears to have a similar format to basketball, of course not considering the wrestling involved. 

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Khabib Nurmagomedov was also seen supporting his team courtside.

The comment section was a clear display of the bewilderment that fans shared about the sport. Take a look at some of the reactions that stood out. 

One of the first comments was from a person pointing out Nurmagomedov’s courtside presence.

“yo why tf is Khabib there.”

A few comments were quick to point out the Dagestani connection with the sport.

“That’s Dagestany basketball man come on.”

“What in the Dagestan is going on here.”

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One individual apparently felt this would be him after an ankle injury

“This is normal basketball after I get my ankles broke.”

One fan pointed out how it was better than another Dana White’s power slap league.

“Better than slap box?”

And of course, there was someone who clearly was not impressed with it, even calling it stupid.

“So stupid!”

A couple of the comments were quite hilarious, especially the hood reference.

“All hood dudes need to be in this sport”

“MMA ballet will come out now (Russian comment)”

Khabib Nurmagomedov originally made the sport popular many years back

For fans of Nurmagomedov and MMA fans in general, this sport is just a reminder of how influential the Dagestani has been. It has been years since the video of Nurmagomedov posted in ‘Anatomy of a fighter’ playing ‘Dagestani basketball’ was published. At that moment, the hybrid sport took everyone by surprise, but none could have expected that it would evolve into what it is now.

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Although back then it was played in a regular basketball court instead of an MMA cage.

The baffled reactions from the fans can be expected since the sport is still in its infancy. But, Nurmagomedov’s presence and his involvement might play a big role in the future. Who knows, we might even see it on major television soon.

What do you think of its prospects? Let us know in the comments.