page_title: Avars (Caucasus)
section_title: Notable Avars
hierarchical_section_title: Avars (Caucasus) / Notable Avars
caption_attribution_description: English: Khabib Nurmagomedov training
context_page_description: The Avars are a Northeast Caucasian native ethnic group which is predominant among several ethnic groups living in the Russian republic of Dagestan. The Avars reside in a region known as the North Caucasus between the Black and Caspian Seas. Alongside other ethnic groups in the North Caucasus region, the Caucasian Avars live in ancient villages located approximately 2,000 m above sea level. The Avar language spoken by the Caucasian Avars belongs to the family of Northeast Caucasian languages and is also known as Nakh–Dagestanian. Islam has been the prevailing religion of the Avars since the 13th century.
context_section_description: The most prominent figures in Avar history were Umma Khan Avarian, Ghazi Muhammad, Ghamzat-bek, Hadji Murat and Imam Shamil. 
  The most celebrated poet writing in the Avar language was Rasul Gamzatov (1923–2003).
  Famous Avar artists include Halil-Beg Mussayassul, whose drawings were shown at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Kamil Aliev (a distant cousin of Mussayassul) who is noted for his ornamental carpet work.
  Magomet Gadzhiyev was an Avar World War II submarine commander and hero of the Soviet Union
  Kadi Abakarov was an Avar Red Army sergeant who fought during World War II. Abakarov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his actions in the Battle of the Seelow Heights.
  Ali Aliyev was an Avar freestyle wrestler who won five world titles and was the first wrestler from Dagestan to win a world title in freestyle wrestling.
  Murad Gaidarov is an Avar freestyle wrestler who represents Belarus.
  Magomedkhan Gamzatkhanov is a Soviet and Russian martial artist of Avar origin.
  Mustafa Dağıstanlı is a Turkish freestyle wrestler of Avar descent.
  Sultan Ibragimov is a retired professional boxer of Avar origin who was a former WBO heavyweight champion.
  Mansur Isaev is an ethnic Avar judoka from Russia. He won gold in the finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the class 73 kg.
  Tagir Khaybulaev is an ethnic Avar judoka from Russia. He won gold in the finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the class 100 kg.
  Khabib Nurmagomedov is an Avar mixed martial artist, two-time Combat Sambo World Champion, and current UFC Lightweight champion. As of September 2019, he has an undefeated MMA record of 28–0.
  Ramazan Emeev is an Avar mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former M-1 Global Middleweight champion.
  Magomed Ismailov is an Avar mixed martial artist.
  Zabit Magomedsharipov is an Avar mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former ACB Featherweight champion.
  Zagalav Abdulbekov, first Avar Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
  Abdulrashid Sadulaev is an Avar wrestler, who won a historic gold medal in freestyle wrestling for Russia during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
  Mavlet Batirov, two-time Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
  Khadzimurad Magomedov, Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
  Sagid Murtazaliev, Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
  Makhach Murtazaliev, Olympic bronze medalist and twice world champion in freestyle wrestling.
  Alisa Ganieva, a Moscow-based award-winning author, writes in Russian, but identifies herself as an Avar.
  Gadzhimurat Kamalov, 11 February 1965 – 15 December 2011, was an investigative journalist well known for reporting on corruption in the Dagestan area. He was shot dead in Makhachkala, Dagestan. He was an ethnic Avar born in the village of Sogratl, which is in the Gunibsky District of Dagestan, Russia.
  Ali Shabanau is an Avar freestyle wrestler who represents Belarus.
  Magomed Tolboyev, high-profile Soviet-era test pilot for the Buran space shuttle, Hero of Russia.
caption: UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
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