Khabib's reason for rejecting Kate Scott's handshake live on CBS Sports
Khabib Nurmagomedov made an appearance on CBS Sports' Champions League coverage on Saturday as the UFC legend joined Kate Scott and the punditry panel
Khabib Nurmagomedov's refusal to shake hands with Kate Scott on live television was due to the UFC star's religious convictions. The Dagestan-born ex-fighter made a guest appearance on CBS Sports on Saturday, following Paris Saint-Germain's historic first Champions League title win.
PSG trounced Inter Milan 5-0, marking the largest victory margin in the history of the prestigious match. As a known PSG supporter and occasional visitor to Parc des Princes, the 36-year-old joined presenter Scott and the lively pundit trio of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards at pitch-side.
They were already accompanied by popular streamer iShowSpeed when the ex-fighting champion approached the desk and greeted each member with a handshake.
However, when Scott extended her hand, Nurmagomedov declined but appeared to briefly explain his decision, leading to an immediate on-air apology from the presenter, reports the Mirror US.
The Russian, who holds the record for the longest reign as lightweight champion in UFC history, is a devout Sunni Muslim. In Islam, it is strictly prohibited for followers to have physical contact with the opposite sex, unless they are family.
Nurmagomedov's strict adherence to his faith is well-documented, with a former team-mate revealing in 2020 that while he would demonstrate fighting techniques to a woman, he would not directly train with her.
Former UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo opened up about her experience training alongside MMA legend at the American Kickboxing Academy, telling theScore: "It's a little bit weird because of their religion... they won't train with women.
"[Khabib] is still showing technique and stuff like that. So I still get to watch it. But it doesn't bother me ... because they're not really being directly rude to me."
Despite an initial tinge of awkwardness at the Allianz Arena, Nurmagomedov quickly found his footing as the conversation turned to PSG's first European triumph.
Having enjoyed the match with his long-time friend and reigning UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, the former fighter later celebrated with Achraf Hakimi, posing with the Champions League trophy.
Nurmagomedov hung up his gloves in 2021, leaving behind an impeccable 29-0 record, after securing a submission win against Justin Gaethje to defend his lightweight title. His decision to step away from MMA came on the heels of the passing of his father and mentor, Abdulmanap, the previous year.
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