Khabib's Bold Strike: The Legend Calls Out UFC on Showmanship
30 December 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the legendary UFC lightweight champion, slammed the sport's obsession with spectacle and name-calling, insisting MMA must stay rooted in merit: best against the best.
The remarks came during his appearance at the World Sports Summit 2025 in Dubai, in a discussion with Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand.
The retired fighter explained that while he doesn't oppose business logic, he rejects letting money or politics determine matchups.
It's not about the flashiest hairstyle, the loudest headlines, or the most followers; it must be the best versus the best.
He added that injustice appears when contracts and fighter selection are steered by politics or marketing rather than merit.
500 fighters and iron discipline: how does Khabib run his empire after retirement?
He described his Dagestan training camps with around 500 amateur fighters, emphasizing discipline as the foundation of his project.
He noted that everyone wants to be a champion, but not everyone can, and his system leaves no room for debate or compromises.
Everything is done his way. There is no 50/50.
He admitted coaching is tougher mentally than his fighting career, especially when he's outside the cage.
He linked his rigid philosophy to the legacy of his late father Abdulmanap, saying obedience and discipline are essential to building champions.
Finally, he stressed the need to balance sport and business, saying: If you want business, fine — but not at the expense of sport.
Punchline 1: If you think that sounds harsh, remember: discipline is the spice of victory, and also the only spice I tolerate.
Punchline 2: In my gym, the 50/50 is a 0/100—the only sensible split is the belt on the line.
