The rivalry between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov is heating up ahead of their highly anticipated bout at UFC 311. Dvalishvili, who has repeatedly claimed that Nurmagomedov is undeserving of a title shot, now faces an unexpected personal blow. The bantamweight champion recently accused fellow 135fer Magdi Amachov of betrayal, alleging that Amachov, whom Dvalishvili supported during difficult times, was seen training with Nurmagomedov’s camp.

Former UFC contender Saidyokub Kakhramonov weighed in on X, slamming both Dvalishvili and Amachov. The controversy sparked a strong response from Team Khabib, who has denied any betrayal. A snippet from Ushatayka’s Instagram page featured boxing coach Magomed Abdulhamidov, who works with Khabib’s team in Las Vegas, addressing the accusations.

“He came. We are Dagestanis. Of course, he came. Salam-kalam, he said hello, I saw him. But what they say—that he helped—that’s all bullshit, there is no such thing. If a person came to wrestle, it doesn’t mean that he helped. It’s all bullshit. I’m not making excuses for him; I’m telling it like it is. What they write—that he came, helps, tells—that’s all untrue.”

The coach clarified that since Amachov was from Dagestan, he would naturally visit his countrymen when they came down to the same area. But the question is, who exactly is this bantamweight contender? Let us dive in to know!

Who is Magdi Amachov? All about the rising Dagestani MMA fighter

Magdi Amachov, an up-and-coming MMA fighter from Dagestan, has yet to fully establish himself as a professional in the sport but has already gained attention for his performance in three bouts. The 135fer holds a 2-1 record, securing his first victory against Ethan Morales at World Fighting Championships 166 via unanimous decision. Later, he transitioned to Tuff-N-Uff in May 2024, where he faced Tracy Love, suffering a close loss by split decision.

Notably, Amachov fought three times in 2024, starting his journey in Dagestan before moving to Houston, Texas, to kick off his amateur career. During this transition, 135lbs kingpin Merab Dvalishvili played a key role in supporting Amachov, offering him housing and mentorship during his challenging relocation period. And this bond was evident in several social media posts featuring the two fighters.

Despite the accusations, Amachov maintained a neutral stance, expressing goodwill toward both fighters ahead of their UFC 311 bout. Some admire his ability to remain neutral, while others question whether assisting Nurmagomedov was a betrayal to Dvalishvili. What’s your take? Did Amachov make the right decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below!