UFC Fighters Mourn the Loss of Wrestling Legend

Saitiev's influence extended to many MMA fighters, and his legacy continues to inspire athletes transitioning from wrestling to mixed martial arts. Following news of Saitiev's passing, the MMA community expressed their condolences. 

Retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and current 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev both posted tributes to him on Instagram. 

Nurmagomedov wrote, "You inspired millions of children around the world, and we will miss you." 

UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev had a professional relationship with Buvaisar Saitiev, training under the former wrestler’s tutelage for some of his fight camps.

Chimaev expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the wrestling icon, acknowledging the profound impact Saitiev had on athletes from the region in an Instagram post with the caption, “May God forgive you. May God grant our nation a hero like you.” 

Former freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist and UFC double champion Henry Cejudo also mourned Saitiev's passing. 

In an Instagram post, Cejudo wrote, "I can honestly say without [Saitiev] I wouldn’t be the wrestler that I am today. Rest in peace, my hero, my legend and my great friend. 1975 -2025 RIP.”

A native of Dagestan, Saitiev left his hometown of Khasavyurt in 1992 to train at a prestigious wrestling center in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. His younger brother, Adam Saitiev, followed in his footsteps and achieved Olympic gold in wrestling as well. 

Saitiev's dominance on the world stage was evident as he captured his first Olympic gold medal during the 1996 Games in Atlanta, defeating American wrestling legend Kenny Monday. Despite a rare upset loss to American Brandon Slay during the 2000 Olympic Games, Saitiev returned with a vengeance, outscoring his competition by a total of 32-5 in the 2004 Olympics and blanking his final two opponents with a combined score of 15-0. His final Olympics came in 2008, where he once again dominated the field. Over a 13-year span, competing in the Olympics and World Championships a total of 11 times, Saitiev suffered only two losses while capturing nine gold medals. 

Beyond his wrestling accolades, Saitiev served as an acting State Duma deputy in Dagestan from 2016 until he stepped down in 2021. In 2015, he became the President of the Chechen Wrestling Federation, a position he held until his passing. 

The combat sports world mourns the loss of Buvaisar Saitiev, whose contributions to the sport will be remembered for generations to come.