In a recent interview with at his family’s training base in Sildi, MMA icon Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke about Dagestan’s rise as a major destination for visitors from across Russia and beyond.
Speaking about Dagestan’s growing profile as a destination, Khabib was direct about how quickly things have changed. “Even in the current situation, Dagestan has become one of the most visited places in Russia,” he said. “There is Sochi, of course, and Kislovodsk, but Dagestan was never on that list before. In the last couple of years, everything has changed. If you look now, there are 20 flights from Moscow every day during the summer. We never had that before. Dagestan is becoming a very large tourist destination.”
He went on to explain that the region attracts a wide range of visitors with different interests. “Tourists come for different reasons,” he said. “Some come for nature, some for travel and exploration, and others simply to experience something new. That is why I believe this base will always be relevant.”
Khabib also pointed to the growing international curiosity surrounding Dagestan’s culture and lifestyle. “If you notice, Americans and Western media are very interested in how children are raised in Dagestan,” he said. “They are filming documentaries and stories about it.” He added that even global sports stars have expressed interest in visiting the region. “Zlatan told me he really wants to come to Dagestan with his children. Rüdiger also wants to visit,” Khabib revealed.
According to him, the appeal goes beyond sports alone. “Some people want to hunt. Some want to experience nature. Others want to see the culture of martial arts in Dagestan,” he said. “There are many things that attract people to this place.”
For Khabib, the base is not just a training facility but a project centered on community development and opportunity. “With this base, we are involved in many social projects,” he explained. “But the most important thing is creating jobs. Right now, we already have seven or eight people from our village working here.”
He offered a simple example to illustrate the local impact. “One person bought several cows to supply our base with cheese and milk,” he said. “Can you imagine that? She now has her own small business because of this project. That person is working and earning.”
When asked what motivates him most after his combat career, Khabib made his priorities clear. “Social projects interest me the most,” he said. “That is what attracts me now.”
He connected that focus directly to his upbringing and sense of responsibility. “At this moment, we have certain opportunities,” he said. “So why not use them for the benefit of the people?”
When the base opens with capacity for 150 guests at a time, Khabib sees it as proof of what dedication and vision can accomplish in the mountains. As he put it simply, reflecting on everything that has been built in a short time: “Every piece of land here is covered in gold.”
