Islam Makhachev stepped out of the cage last night with all eyes still on him but strangely, much of the MMA world was talking about something else: the viral moment of Islam watching his longtime friend Tagir Ulanbekov take a heartbreaking loss earlier on the card.
Even with Islam’s own fight wrapped up, Tagir’s defeat and the emotional scene in the corner became one of the night’s biggest conversations online.
A clip posted by @DovySimuMMA showed Islam looking devastated as Tagir’s fight slipped away. Fans had a field day, but beneath the memes is a deeper story about pressure, loyalty, and the weight carried by Dagestan’s top fighters.
Islam watching Tagir lose 🥺 pic.twitter.com/ictzWLgTNI
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) November 23, 2025
Image credit: Новости ННТ / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Islam: Champion in the Cage, 0–2 in the Corner
Fans quickly pointed out that Islam is 0–2 as a cornerman in a single night. A stat that MMA Twitter refuses to let go.
- “He literally won the belt last week, relax 😭”
- “0-2 as cornerman is crazy 😭”
Even with Islam’s fight already done, this storyline overshadowed a lot of the post-fight talk. Only on MMA Twitter does a champion win and still get clowned for his corner record.
Tagir’s Loss Hits Hard For good reason
KYOJI HORIGUCHI FINISHES TAGIR ULANBENOV IN HIS RETURN TO THE UFC!!!
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 22, 2025
WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!! #UFCQatarpic.twitter.com/afZJB7E90A
Tagir has been Islam’s roommate since 2012.
These two aren’t just teammates they grew up together in Abdulmanap’s system. Tagir struggled with health issues as a kid, and Abdulmanap personally took him in to help him build strength and discipline.
So when Tagir fought through injuries and ultimately went out cold fans understood why Islam’s face dropped.
One user wrote “His best friend fought until he literally lost consciousness. No wonder Islam looked like that.”
Another added that Tagir desperately needs to move up a weight class, calling his cardio issues “long overdue.”
Dagestan’s aura isn’t crumbling, but the pressure is real
With Tagir losing, other prospects struggling, and Islam now carrying the region alone, some fans voiced a sentiment that’s been building quietly. “Islam is the only hope for Dagestan right now.”
Others pushed back, reminding everyone that Dagestan has had only two truly dominant champions like Khabib and Islam.
People talk like it’s a dynasty of 20 champions, the reality is much smaller, but expectations are enormous.
Rivals see weakness, even if it’s not Islam’s
It didn’t take long for rivals and trolls to jump in:“Topuria will do the same to Islam.”
“Send Tagir back to Dagestan, creatine for 2 years.”
Online trash talk is normal, but this time it shows something important:
Opponents smell vulnerability in the aura, not in Islam’s actual performance
Islam’s Reaction Became the Real Headline
#UFCQatar Official Result: Kyoji Horiguchi (@kyoji1012)
— UFC News (@UFCNews) November 22, 2025
defeats Tagir Ulanbekov via Submission at 2:18 of Round 3.
Complete Main Card Results ➡️ https://t.co/2jSOJlZypU pic.twitter.com/1gxWrJOmch
Even though Islam’s fight already happened, the internet turned the Tagir moment into the emotional centerpiece of the night.
Some joked “Why bro sitting like a sad 6-year-old?”
For once, Islam wasn’t the unstoppable, expressionless champion.
He was a friend watching another friend fall.
And MMA fans couldn’t look away.
What is next for Islam ?
Because after tonight, it’s no longer just about title defenses or pound-for-pound debates. It’s about legacy. It’s about whether Dagestan’s next generation can rise through heartbreak, criticism, and impossible expectations. Islam may have walked out of the arena with another victory, but he walked out carrying something heavier than any belt the responsibility to prove that Dagestan’s story isn’t fading, it’s only getting started. And if this night showed us anything, it’s that the world is watching and the next chapter is going to be even bigger.
