Looks like the Dagestanis aren’t all that invincible after all. Sure, Abdulmanap’s proteges have had their losses, even fans’ next Khabib, Islam Makhachev. But three losses, all in one night, leave a brutal mark on the ‘only winners’ reputation. Qatar has mercilessly flipped that narrative.

Saygid Izagakhmaev, on the prelims card, began the losing saga of the Dagestanis last night. Tagir Ulanbekov failed to bounce back from the humiliation, tapping out to a perfectly executed RNC. They say the third time’s the charm. Unfortunately, even luck didn’t seem to side with the Russian wrestlers, Shamil Gaziev‘s loss sealing the desperate fate of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s proteges.

Not everyone in Dagestan is like Khabib or Islam

Three defeats are something to ponder about, and so Russian insider Kamil Gadzhiev did. The raw nerve sabotaging the Dagestanis’ reputation might be the exact brand that brought them to the mainstream MMA world. “Students of the Abdulmanap school, Nurmagomedov, and its representatives have become accustomed to the idea that they always win. That puts so much psychological pressure on each individual. Each loser seems to be a black sheep in this cool, elite pack where everyone is only a winner,” he argued on the mythic image of Abdulmanap’s school.

This brand, although it positions itself as the top of the herd in the MMA world, creates insurmountable pressure on the actual fighters. Fans hold these very human competitors to impossible standards, which can shut down their nervous system before they can respond to the fight. There’s a reason training differs from the actual competition. “I think this responsibility is great; it has an impact. Plus, you have to understand the question here. As Arshavin once said, ‘Your expectations are your problems,’” the insider commented on the same.

‘The Eagle’ did something magical with his unmatched UFC stint, going undefeated at 29-0. Moreover, being the longest undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov established the Dagestani agenda in UFC. When Islam Makhachev took over that legacy, he became the ‘Khabib 2.0,’ becoming a double champion in the lightweight and now welterweight divisions. Usman Nurmagomedov has established a similar undefeated feat in the lightweight division.

These guys combined have 1 loss, that Makhachev sustained against Adriano Martins with a Round 1 KO early in his career. However, it’s important to note that not every fighter out of Abdulmanap’s coaching is another Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev. While Saygid Izagakhmaev lost via split decision, things went downhill on the main card. Kyoji Horiguchi kicked off the evening, hunting Tagir Ulanbekov’s neck, successfully choking the Russian. Shamil Gaziev’s Round 1 KO pushed the ‘winner’ brand down the drain.

Still, the Dagestanis hold a stature that’s hard to replicate. But the tides might be shifting.

A chink in the Dagestan armor?

We will never forget the Pereira vs Ankalaev duology. The light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira, lost his crown to the Dagestani standout in a unrelenting bout of tiring cage wrestling. Grabbing the title via UD, Magomed Ankalaev proved Islam Makhachev’s prophecy, who questioned ‘Poatan’s dominance: “Put him, Ankalaev.” Poatan shared that he wasn’t in his prime form that night at UFC 313. Well, it’s tough luck trying to explain yourself against the Dagestani wizards.

However, that’s exactly what Pereira did in the rematch at UFC 320, knocking out the said challenger in less than 80 seconds. And with that began the saga of doubt creeping in, questioning whether the Dagestani are still legitimate. Islam answered with his own double champion belt against Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision. That isn’t enough, however, with Makhachev demanding a closure to this back-and-forth with a trilogy.

But the losses of fighters like Tagir Ulambekov, Sagid Zangakmaev, and Shamil Gaziev have challenged that status quo. Ian Garry is also hunting that title shot against the welterweight champion, with an impressive win at Qatar to back him. Now, dominating against Islam Makhachev looks out of the books for the moment being. But the Dagestanis’ decreasing relevance is getting harder to ignore.