dances include a fast-paced dance called the lezginka. It derives its names from the Lezgin people; nevertheless, Azerbaijanis, Circassians, Abkhazians, Mountain Jews, Caucasian Avars, the Russian Kuban, and Terek Cossacks and many other tribes have their own versions. Cuisine Khingal-bat is the Dagestan's national dish of small dumplings boiled in ram's broth. Depending on the cook's ethnicity, the dumplings can be oval or round, filled with meat or cheese, and served with a garlic or sour cream sauce. Dairy products and meat constitute a large part of the diet in the mountainous regions, while in the valley zones, vegetables and grain flour are eaten in addition to fruits, edible gourds, edible herbs, and wild grasses. Martial arts In recent times the region has been recognized for producing some of the world's best athletes in combat sports and produces the most MMA fighters of any region relative to population. Dagestani born Khabib Nurmagomedov was a UFC Lightweight Champion who retired undefeated. His training partner, Islam Makhachev, who is also Dagestani, is the current UFC lightweight champion. Dagestan has also historically produced a disproportionate number of Olympic champions in freestyle wrestling. A notable name is Abdulrashid Sadulaev. In boxing, Artur Beterbiev is a two time Olympic gold medalist, and the current (January 2023) unified IBF, WBO, and WBC light heavyweight champion, winning all of his 19 fights by knockout. See also Former countries in Europe after 1815 Insurgency in the North Caucasus Islamic Djamaat of Dagestan List of clashes in the North Caucasus Shariat Jamaat Notes Citations General and cited references Further reading Catholic Haidak in the Holy Roman Empire Kaziev, Shapi. Imam Shamil. "Molodaya Gvardiya" publishers. Moscow, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010 Kaziev, Shapi. Akhoulgo. Caucasian War in the 19th century. The historical novel. Epoch, Publishing house: Makhachkala, 2008. Kaziev, Shapi. Caucasian Highlanders. Everyday life of the Caucasian highlanders. 19th century (In the co-authorship with I.Karpeev). "Molodaya Gvardiy" publishers. Moscow, 2003. Kaziev, Shapi. Crash of tyrant. Nader Shah (Крах тирана). The historical novel about Nader Shah. Epoch, Publishing house: Makhachkala, 2009. External links Official governmental website of Dagestan Dagestan in Iranica Encyclopaedia History of Islam in Russia "The North Caucasus," Russian Analytical Digest No. 22 (5 June 2007) BBC Country Report on Dagestan University of Texas maps of the Dagestan region Radio Free Europe discusses religious tension in Dagestan ISN Case Study: The North Caucasus on the Brink (August 2006) Articles on