The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has launched an investigation into the Eagle MMA club, owned by legendary fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, in connection with a recent terrorist attack in Dagestan.
Late last week, the city of Derbent was shaken by coordinated terrorist attacks targeting a synagogue and two Orthodox churches. The assaults resulted in the tragic deaths of over 20 individuals, including 15 police officers, five attackers, and one Orthodox priest. Among the perpetrators was Gadzhimurad Kagirov, a 28-year-old professional MMA fighter who had trained for a period at Khabib’s Eagle club.
In response to Kagirov’s involvement, the FSB has initiated a thorough investigation. Khabib Nurmagomedov, widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters in history, acknowledged that Kagirov had occasionally trained at his gym but firmly denied that he was a member of his club.
“The killed terrorist is not our student, this is nonsense and a complete lie. He did a training camp in our gym for a while, he was here for a few months, but he was never part of my team,” Nurmagomedov stated. He went on to strongly condemn all forms of terrorism.
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“To go into a church and kill someone because they practice a different religion, I think it’s unnecessary to even state my opinion on that. Of course, it is a brutal and inhumane act. When did something like this become normal? In Dagestan, we have more than 30 nationalities, and of course, most of them practice Islam, but Jews and Christians have also lived here for years… This has never happened in the 30-plus years I’ve lived in Dagestan,” Khabib added.
The investigation has cast a spotlight on Nurmagomedov’s club, although no evidence currently links the institution directly to the attack. Khabib’s strong stance against terrorism and his clear distancing of his club from Kagirov’s actions aim to mitigate any unwarranted suspicions.
As the FSB continues its investigation, the attacks have sparked outrage and sadness across Dagestan. The community, known for its diverse and historically harmonious coexistence of different religious and ethnic groups, is grappling with the shock of such unprecedented violence.
The coming weeks will be crucial as authorities seek to understand the full extent of the events leading up to the attacks and ensure justice for the victims and their families. In the meantime, Khabib Nurmagomedov remains committed to his stance against terrorism and to supporting the diverse community of Dagestan through these trying times.
