Demetrious Johnson has gone public with a rumour that the UFC is refusing to sign any more fighters from Dagestan or Russia because they are too dominant. Johnson quoted the claim directly, saying the organisation is "not letting any more Dagestanis or Russian guys in" due to their elite-level performance.
Demetrious Johnson has gone public with a rumour suggesting the UFC is quietly refusing to sign fighters from Dagestan and Russia, citing their overwhelming success inside the octagon. The claim, which is not officially confirmed, emerged in early June 2026 and has drawn attention given the source making it.
Johnson, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, stated directly that the organisation is "not letting any more Dagestanis or Russian guys in" because of their elite-level performance. The 39-year-old American, who trains out of AMC Pankration, carries a professional record of 27-3-1 across a career that has spanned multiple promotions and divisions. Standing five-foot-three with a 66-inch reach, Johnson built his reputation on a complete skill set — averaging 3.43 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 3.35 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Johnson did not present the claim as confirmed fact, and the UFC has not made any public statement on the matter. The rumour, as relayed by Johnson, implies a deliberate organisational policy rather than coincidental roster decisions.
Why it matters
- Dagestan and Russia have produced several high-profile champions and contenders in recent UFC history, making any alleged exclusion policy a significant story across multiple divisions.
- If the claim has any basis, it would raise serious questions about how the UFC constructs its rosters and whether competitive dominance influences signing decisions.
- Johnson's credibility as a former long-reigning champion gives the rumour more weight than it might carry from an anonymous source, even as it remains unverified.
