The reported motive behind the killing of warrior Magomedrasul Mutaev is described by sources as revenge. Multiple Telegram channels have circulated this account, labeling it as such and presenting it as the prevailing theory among early investigators. In the weeks since the event, observers have noted a pattern of hostile exchanges that allegedly preceded the violence, underscoring a volatile atmosphere surrounding the incident. Attribution: Reuters, Telegram channels, and local observers provide the initial framing of the case.
According to early reports, roughly a month prior to the fatal shooting, Mutaev is said to have engaged in a physical confrontation with Kadirkhanov and a group of peers, during which he allegedly beat and mocked them. The response described in these narratives was a violent confrontation in which Mutaev was said to have been shot by Kadirkhanov, who fired six rounds in a moment of retaliation. Investigators later indicated that the suspect in that confrontation was seeking to address what had happened, and authorities began gathering evidence to determine whether there was a direct link to the later, fatal incident. Attribution: initial security briefings, social media reports, and law enforcement updates.
Initial statements also identified the alleged killer of Savaşçı Mutaev as an 18-year-old named Nadyrkhan Kadırhanov. Reports noted that Kadırhanov was being sought by authorities and that a criminal case had been opened in relation to the murder. The development added to the sense of urgency surrounding the investigation and prompted the deployment of additional resources to locate the suspect and secure the crime scene. Attribution: police notices and regional media coverage.
Accounts from law enforcement and eyewitnesses placed the incident on Gaptsakhskaya Street, in the center of Makhachkala, near Mutaev’s residence. The event coincided with a time of heightened tensions in the neighborhood, where several individuals have described the area as crowded and closely watched by local residents. According to multiple sources, the fighter was attacked in close proximity to his home, an element that amplified the shock among family, friends, and fans. Attribution: on-site reporting and corroborating statements from locals.
Testimony from various sources suggested that the assailant or attackers approached unobserved and opened fire with a handgun, delivering a volley of shots as the victim moved. Some narratives claim the gunman fired eight times, while others indicate six rounds fired from a vehicle placed near the entrance of the building. The athlete sustained injuries that proved fatal after transport to a hospital, where medical professionals continued to work to stabilize and determine the exact cause of death. Attribution: hospital reports and investigative briefings.
Investigators and forensic specialists have been actively examining the crime scene, collecting evidence, and tracing potential leads as part of a broader inquiry. Authorities announced the activation of a preventive strategy in Makhachkala, commonly referred to by local officials as the Stop plan, intended to coordinate response efforts and ensure public safety while the investigation proceeds. Attribution: regional police updates and forensics updates.
Details about Mutaev’s background highlight his participation in martial arts through a school named after Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, with references noting his involvement in Fight Knights and his status as a student of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father. These connections to a prominent martial arts lineage are cited in multiple media reports as context for the athlete’s career and the communities that followed his progress. Attribution: sports profiles and media coverage from regional outlets.
In a separate but related development, a Russian police officer encountered a separate incident in a retail setting before reportedly neutralizing a suspect with a live grenade. This incident, while not directly connected to Mutaev’s case, added to the sense of ongoing security challenges faced by communities in the region. Attribution: police briefings and local news reporting.