Crazy Facts You Didn’t Know About Khabib Nurmagomedov (10)
Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the best UFC champions and one of the most famous fighters on the planet. One thing is for sure, we would have to wait for many years to see such a fierce grappler and role model. From his wins inside the cage to the lifestyle outside of it, Khabib has grown into a man larger than the sport itself.
Most Khabib fans know his life story and successes in MMA. But there are many other crazy facts about Khabib you have likely never heard of. We bet some of the facts we have added to our list will amaze even the most loyal Khabib fans.
1. Khabib is not undefeated in martial arts
Even though no-one has beaten him in MMA, Khabib suffered many losses as a martial artist. As you are going to see later reading this article, Khabib has fought in various martial arts. But for some reason, fans tend to think he owns a perfect record in every single contest he took part in.
In fact, Khabib had a hard time winning any major prize while working his way up when he was around 13 or 14 years old. He would often win fifth or sixth places during competitions across the nation. This was mainly because he was engaged in many sports like wrestling, judo, and sambo. Or in other words, you can’t stay unbeaten in this many fighting styles.
In the following years, both Khabib and his father began focusing on working harder and not taking part in so many martial arts competitions. This proved as a right move as Khabib went on to become a world champ in both Sambo and MMA.
2. He speaks six languages
Khabib is multilingual and he speaks six languages. This is the reason why he gets so much media attention and has fans across the globe. It’s all easier when you can reach people using their language. Here is a list of languages he can speak and even read:
- Avar (native)
- Russian
- Kumyk
- Turkish
- English
- Arabic (can also read)
Plenty of eastern fighters in the UFC can’t get enough media attention because they can’t speak English for instance.
3. Khabib has a college degree in finance
Khabib is yet to graduate from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Few fans know that he has been studying hard while fighting at the elite level at the same time.
After retiring from MMA, he said he wanted to put more focus on studying and earning a degree in finance. He even said his wish is to attend a master’s program later. And you thought you didn’t have enough time to study and get a degree?
Next year I will graduate. I’d like to [build on] my thesis, do a master’s course, dedicate more time to studying. I’ve bought sheep, I tend to my farm. I’d like to develop in this field a little. I have the bull calves out to feed. I have cows.” — Khabib Nurmagomedov, source
4. He is a huge fan of soccer/football
Khabib is a huge fan of soccer, and he is very open about it in his interviews and posts on social media. While growing up, he played soccer on a daily basis before injuring his knee. And in 2021, he even got a pro contract offer from FC “Kazan”.
His favorite team is FC “Anzhi” which has been the home of some of the best players in the world. Samuel Eto and Robert Carlos are just some of the names who played for Anzhi FC.
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But he is, perhaps, an even bigger fan of the Spanish club, Real Madrid. You can often see Khabib wearing their jersey or sharing posts about Real Madrid matches. His favorite player is the most famous soccer player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo. In fact, Ronaldo and Khabib are very good friends.
As for other clubs, Khabib is also a fan of “Liverpool F.C” and Turkish “Galatasaray”.
5. He has competed in 4 different martial arts
In his career as a martial artist, Khabib has fought in four separate martial arts. This is unusual as, most of the time, UFC fighters are masters in just one fighting style. But Khabib has been cross-training between several arts from a very young age.
And like in MMA, he was able to reach the top in every single fighting contest he took part in. Here are the martial arts he fought in and his biggest triumphs:
- Russian National champion and two-time World Combat Sambo champion
- European “Pankration” champion
- European champion of Army Hand to Hand combat
- Two-time NAGA World champion
6. He lost just a single round in the UFC
Up until the McGregor fight, Khabib didn’t lose a single round in 10 UFC bouts. And we have many reasons to believe he didn’t lose while fighting in other promotions neither. That shows you how dominant Khabib is and why so many fans see him as the best ever.
Yet, we can’t escape the feeling Khabib could have easily won the third round he lost to McGregor. In the previous two, he was leading the dance and smashing the Irishman with his wrestling and ground and pound. But for some reason, he decided to strike with Conor in the third and not advance the fight to the ground.
He maybe wanted to prove a point he is better at striking too, but, he ended up losing the round for the first time in the UFC.
7. He nearly died from cutting weight
Leading up to his scheduled bout with Tony Ferguson at UFC 209, Khabib nearly died from cutting too much weight. In MMA, Khabib always struggled to hit the scale at 155lbs and has often looked like a zombie while trying to make the weight. His struggles were no more apparent than when he ended up in hospital ahead of UFC 209. That weight cut almost killed him.
The first sign something was wrong came when he didn’t show at the early weigh-ins. Moments later, the news came that Khabib had to be rushed to the hospital due to the severe pain in his stomach. It was later revealed that his liver would have shut down if he continued the process.
“One day before weigh-in, of course, I don’t feel good all the time, but I think this is like something different. And when I go home the night before weigh-ins, I feel crazy. I’m cutting weight with my team, and I don’t remember how I cut weight. I don’t remember a lot of things, something going wrong.”- source
8. He was the first Muslim to win the UFC title
At UFC 223, Khabib secured his place in the history books by becoming the first-ever Muslim to win the UFC title. He did it by beating Al Iaquinta in the stacked Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Still, the way he did it and the drama that took place in the days leading up to this bout make this moment even bigger for Khabib. Initially, the UFC lined up Ferguson and Khabib to headline the main event of UFC 223. But it all fell apart seven days before the bout when Ferguson injured his knee.
The UFC quickly replaced Ferguson with Max Holloway who took the fight on six days’ notice. But the bad luck would strike again as the NYSAC Commission pulled Holloway out of the bout due to extreme weight cutting. And with less than 24h before the bout, Al Iaquinta jumped in to save the event.
Khabib put on a great fight to beat “Raging” Al in a decision. But props to both fighters for taking up the fight, and saving the card for the fans.
9. Khabib owns a telecom company
In 2020, Khabib shared a post on social media about him entering the telecom industry. This is not a huge surprise as most elite fighters invest their hard-earned money in various industries. Like all fighters, Khabib needs to think ahead and spends his money wisely.
Initially, Khabib started the company called “Khabib Telekom”. Then, he has applied to use his brand and patent the “Eagle Mobile” company logo. Customers can use Eagle Mobile SIM cards on any device and get many rewards for their loyalty to the eagle brand.
“Network users often have issues with their operators about a range of hidden charges from their account. Khabib’s personal responsibility is so that such situations don’t occur, and also the loyalty and enthusiasm of his following will be instrumental in the switch of a chunk of users to Eagle Mobile services,” Mikhail Lechtman — source
10. He also owns a mixed martial art promotion
2020 has been a year of investment for Khabib. Apart from starting a telecom network, he has also bought a Russian MMA “GFC” for $1 million dollars. Located in Dagestan, GFC stands for “Gorilla Fighting” and it has been the home of many talented fighters for many years now.
According to sources, Khabib is preparing to re-name the promotion to “Eagle Fighting Championship” or EFC. Once again, Khabib will try to wisely use his fame and the “Eagle” brand to get things rolling in the business world. He is hoping that EFC will grow and hold the events in both the Arabic and western world.
In his mind, the EFC will operate as a sort of farm league for the UFC. During the press conference, Khabib has stated the following about his plans:
“It’s no secret everyone wants to get into the UFC. Other promotions want their fighters to stay. I don’t want that. I want EFC to be a launchpad into the world stage” — source
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