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Controversy erupts as UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov refuses handshake with presenter Kate Abdo due to 'Muslim beliefs'
UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov's decision to decline a handshake from sports presenter Kate Abdo has led to a massive controversy with online users calling out his behaviour as 'misogynist'. read more
A massive controversy has erupted online after Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) legend and former professional mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake hands with CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo, live on TV, after the .
Kate Abdo, who is now known as Kate Scott after her marriage to professional boxer Malik Scott, was presenting the post-match show on CBS Sports alongside former footballers Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and YouTuber IShowSpeed, when Russian Nurmagomedov joined the broadcast.
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Unaware of Nurmagomedov's religious beliefs, Kate offered him a handshake, which he declined by holding his hand to his chest. Kate was quick to offer an apology and moved on with the show.
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Why did Khabib Nurmagomedov refuse Kate Abdo's handshake?
The 36-year-old Nurmagomedov is a devout Sunni Muslim. As per Islam, a person is not allowed to touch a member of the opposite gender if they are not related to each other.
Earlier in 2020, MMA fighter Cynthia Calvillo had revealed that Nurmagomedov refused to train with her because of the difference in their gender. 'It's a little bit weird because of their religion… they won't train with women," she had said.
'(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.'
Nurmagomedov handshake act causes controversy
Nurmagomedov's refusal to shake hands with Kate, however, led to a controversy on social media as a few users termed the behaviour as 'misogynist'.
'At the Champions League final Russian Muslim Khabib Nurmagomedov @TeamKhabib refused to shake the hand of Kate Scott. She even apologised to the backward, misogynist, former MMA fighter,' a user remarked.
At the Champions League final Russian Muslim Khabib Nurmagomedov @TeamKhabib refused to shake the hand of Kate Scott.
She even apologised to the backward, misogynist, former MMA fighter. pic.twitter.com/SRrBfGXXth — David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) June 2, 2025
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'That didn't seem respectful. Forget about the handshake, he even ignored her and didn't even greet and acknowledge her until she put her hand out,' wrote another user.
Nurmagomedov retired from UFC in 2021 as the reigning lightweight champion and with an undefeated record of 29-0. He is the longest-reigning UFC lightweight champion of all time.
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