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Khabib Nurmagomedov's combat sports journey began at a very young age under his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He is a two-time Combat Sambo World Champion who also trained in freestyle wrestling. From 2008 to 2011, Khabib built an impressive MMA record of 16 wins with no losses.
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In January 2012, Khabib Nurmagomedov made his UFC debut. 'The Eagle' showed his potential from the beginning and went on a dominant run. He became UFC lightweight champion in 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta. No fighter seemed to have an answer for his relentless pace and wrestling. It would remain that way until his retirement in 2020.
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His primary asset inside the octagon was his wrestling. While his style allowed him to dominate opponents, it did not win over all the fans. Many said that his striking was not at par with the best in the division. Some fans even labeled him a boring fighter.
The Russian became champion, was part of the biggest event in UFC history and retired undefeated. At first glance, Nurmagomedov's career looks blemish-free, but that is not the case. From his fighting style to retiring early and even his views, Khabib Nurmagomedov has faced his fair share of criticism.
Here are five instances when fans criticized Khabib Nurmagomedov.
#5. Khabib Nurmagomedov was too big for the lightweight division
Throughout his MMA career, Khabib Nurmagomedov decisively defeated all his opponents. His training in combat sambo and freestyle wrestling made his ground game nearly perfect. Even if an opponent managed to put him in a submission he slipped out.
However, many fans have argued that his dominance was due to a size advantage. At 5'10'', Khabib was among the taller lightweights and he cut several pounds before every fight to make the 155lbs limit.
This led many to believe that, on fight night, he weighed a lot more than other lightweights. Many have even said that the former champ's true test would've been in the welterweight division.
Colby Covington echoed a similar sentiment when he implied that Khabib Nurmagomedov's is a natural welterweight. 'Chaos' said:
"Why are you looking for this big advantage to have a weight advantage over these little guys and beat midgets?"
#4. UFC 254 weigh-in controversy
It's no secret that Khabib Nurmagomedov had a hard time cutting weight. In fact, he was known for extreme weight cuts. In 2013, he even missed weight for his bout against Abel Trujillo.
The Russian's walk-around weight is also much higher. It's normal for fighters to cut weight, but 'The Eagle' weighs around 187lbs when he's not fighting. Cutting nearly 40lbs of weight every time is no easy feat.
However, he faced more criticism than ever before during UFC 254. When Khabib Nurmagomedov stepped on the scale, he failed on the first try. He stripped down, tried again and this time, he did make weight. But fans were quick to point out that the official hurried through the process.
The incident became a topic of debate among fans. A few conspiratory fans even alleged that 'The Eagle' missed weight, but the UFC allowed it.
#3. Khabib Nurmagomedov ignites post-fight scuffle at UFC 229
Few rivalries in UFC history have been as bitter as that of Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. It all began after a video surfaced showing Khabib in a heated altercation with McGregor's teammate, Artem Lobov. An enraged McGregor retaliated by attacking the bus with 'The Eagle' and other UFC athletes inside.
After McGregor settled the legal repercussions, the two met at UFC 229. The buildup to the fight was bitter, with McGregor even insulting Khabib's father. However, likely due to the controversy, UFC 229 turned into the biggest PPV event in UFC history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted the Irishman in the 4th round. However, it was what he did after the fight that invited criticism from fans. The lightweight champion scaled the cage and pounced on Dillon Danis. Danis had allegedly verbally abused 'The Eagle' between rounds. A massive scuffle broke out between the two teams and security.
After the dust settled, he apologized for his actions, but both fans and President Dana White were far from pleased. The incident is the only blemish on the former champions' otherwise exemplary behavior.
#2. The fifth cancelation of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson
Many fights get booked only to get canceled, but rarely does a fight get booked five times and is shelved each time. Such has been the case with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson.
First slated to take place in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 22, the fight got canceled. The reason was a rib injury sustained by 'The Eagle' in training camp.
The fight would then get booked three more times. Once in 2016, then in 2017 and again in 2018. Each time it got canceled due to one of the fighters facing a medical issue during the lead-up.
However, both fighters were progressing in their respective careers. Khabib Nurmagomedov became the 155lb champ while Ferguson built a 12-fight winning streak.
The fight was booked and canceled for one final time in 2020. The culprit this time would be the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many fans and Ferguson himself would not shy away from criticizing the champ.
While Ferguson implied that his opponent was scared, fans said that 'The Eagle' had been ducking 'El Cucuy' from the beginning. The Russian, however, also fired back in an Instagram live session:
“I don’t understand this. The UFC tried to find a location last almost one month. They don’t find. What about me? This is my mistake?"
#1. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. the ring girls
In August 2021, Khabib Nurmagomedov made some controversial comments about ring girls. The former UFC lightweight champion said:
“Look, I don’t want to offend anyone: Ring girls are the most useless people in martial arts... You can show that it is the second round on the screen."
While many agreed with him, the backlash was strong and immediate. Everyone from former and current fighters to the ring girls themselves countered 'The Eagle'. Arianny Celeste made a lengthy post on Instagram defending her profession.
The Russian had made it clear that it was his personal opinion, though that did not deter a section of fans from attacking his views. However, Khabib Nurmagomedov remained unphased. In an interview in October, he reiterated his stance:
"Some people don’t agree with this, but who cares? I don’t care, because I have my opinion."
