Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has sparked conversation about parenting styles, defending the strict upbringing he and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov experienced while growing up in Dagestan. During a recent visit to the training base in Sildi, Makhachev opened up about how he plans to raise his own children, pushing back against modern parenting philosophies.
When discussing his future approach to fatherhood, Makhachev made his position clear:
“Just as strictly as my father raised me, I will be just as strict with my children. That’s 100%.”
He acknowledged the challenge of raising children with privilege, noting that unlike his father, who wasn’t wealthy, his own children will grow up with a successful parent. However, he remains committed to maintaining the same disciplinary standards.
The champion directly addressed contemporary parenting advice that emphasizes avoiding physical discipline and raised voices:
“It’s just that now there are these psychologists, you can’t yell at a child, you can’t spank them, their psyche breaks.”
Makhachev pointed to himself and Khabib as evidence to the contrary:
“Well, what about me or Khabib, or some mentally abnormal people, or what, our people.”
He suggested their success contradicts claims about psychological damage from strict parenting.
Strict parenting, often characterized by high expectations, clear rules, and consistent discipline, can positively influence child development when applied with warmth and support. Research in developmental psychology suggests that children raised in structured environments tend to develop greater self-discipline, executive functioning, and goal-directed behavior. By setting firm boundaries, parents provide a predictable framework that helps children understand consequences and internalize social norms, which can reduce risky behavior and improve academic achievement.
Studies also indicate that children of authoritative (strict but responsive) parents often exhibit higher levels of responsibility and self-regulation, as the combination of structure and emotional support fosters both competence and confidence. Importantly, the benefits are strongest when strictness is coupled with care, rather than coercion or hostility, allowing children to internalize rules rather than merely fear punishment.
Makhachev credits his difficult upbringing in the mountains of Dagestan as foundational to his success. He reflected on the harsh conditions of his early training camps, where MMA stars lived in basic accommodations, trained outdoors, and dealt with frequent power outages and cold water:
“On the contrary, I’m glad that I went through all these difficult times.”
He contrasted his generation with younger MMA stars who won’t train if there’s no hot water.
The remote mountain location, accessible only by treacherous roads prone to rockslides and avalanches, represents the environment that forged champions. Makhachev believes children who grow up in such conditions until age ten develop superior physical capabilities compared to their urban peers.
While acknowledging that creating easier conditions for himself as a champion could make training harder, Makhachev sees his challenging past as an asset rather than a liability. His comments reflect a broader cultural perspective in Dagestan, where traditional parenting methods are viewed as character-building rather than harmful, directly challenging Western psychological frameworks that dominate contemporary parenting discourse.
