MAKHACHKALA, August 18 – RIA Dagestan. Last weekend, Dagestan hosted the fifth anniversary "Battle on Kaspiy 2026" mixed martial arts tournament with backing from the republican Tourism Ministry. The event featured fighters from Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Brazil and Spain, illustrating the organizers' belief that sports transcend political and geographical boundaries.
Addressing the athletes gathered, Acting Minister of Tourism and Folk Arts and Crafts Emin Merdanov spoke of the region's powerful competitive advantages — advantages he believes could transform it into a leading destination for sports tourism. The sector, the top official emphasized, carries exceptional promise and remains deeply relevant to the republic's long-term aspirations.