In a move that’s bound to raise eyebrows, Alisher Gabdullin has been spotted training in Dagestan—specifically at the iconic gym named after Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the same hall that forged legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and is now home to UFC champion Islam Makhachev.
The moment was first revealed through a post by Takhtay Team, which stated:
“Athletes of the fight club TAKHTAY TEAM ???????? Alisher Gabdullin and Shermurat Kalilov are holding a training and training camp in the Republic of Dagestan (Russia) ???????? in the martial arts hall named after Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, which is located in Makhachkala, together with UFC champion Islam Makhachev.”
This would seem like just another elite training camp—except Gabdullin’s next opponent is Muhammad Mokaev, the undefeated phenom who proudly reps Dagestan, even though his professional career was built out of Manchester.
No official statements have been made by either fighter, but the timing and location of this camp speak volumes.
Is Gabdullin just seeking world-class prep—or is there something more layered at play?
With the two fighters set to clash in the headline bout of 971 FC: Dubai on June 14, the decision to train in the very heart of Mokaev’s homeland feels almost symbolic—an unspoken challenge, a psychological chess move. For a fighter who usually keeps a low profile, this is a calculated shift.
Gabdullin isn’t just preparing for a fight. He’s stepping into the terrain that shaped Mokaev, absorbing its grit, its rhythm—and maybe even sending a message back to Manchester:
“I’m not coming to play by your rules.”
As tensions build, fans and pundits are left wondering—was this just training… or is Gabdullin quietly declaring war?
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