Latest news with #Khabib
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from Frontier airlines flight because of THIS Pakistani restaurant in San Francisco
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, made headlines earlier this year when he was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight. The incident, which occurred in January, quickly went viral after videos emerged showing the fighter being deplaned by security. However, the reason behind Khabib's flight and subsequent removal has now come to light. Read: In a recent appearance on YouTuber Adam Zubayraev 'Hustle Show' podcast, Khabib explained that the primary motivation taking the flight was to visit his favourite Pakistani restaurant, Chutney, in San Francisco. The restaurant's 10 pm closing time was fast approaching, and the UFC Hall of Famer needed to make it in time. The only available flight was a 5 pm departure from Las Vegas to San Francisco, operated by Frontier Airlines. Despite the flight being in economy, Khabib chose to board the flight as it was the only remainig option. The issue arose when cabin crew asked Khabib to move from his exit row seat, citing concerns over his ability to operate the emergency exit door. In the viral videos, Khabib was heard telling the flight attendants, "I know the language, I know how to help." Despite his efforts to explain, the situation escalated, and Khabib was escorted off the plane. Read more: The incident sparked controversy, with some accusing the flight crew of being disrespectful and others questioning the motivations behind their actions. Khabib, however, characterised the exchange as rude but insisted he had no intentions of continuing the dispute. In a lighter moment, Khabib revealed that his love for food played a big role in his decision to take the flight. Describing himself as a foodie, Khabib said he had been visiting Chutney since 2012 and was determined to make it in time for a meal. His passion for good food, particularly Pakistani cuisine, was the driving force behind the trip. While Khabib's flight experience ended in an unexpected manner, it also highlighted a more personal side of the champion, with his focus on enjoying a meal, rather than his usual focus on the spotlight or sport.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts door on UFC return with honest message about fight life
Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts door on UFC return with honest message about fight life (Image Via Google) Although it has been nearly five years since Khabib Nurmagomedov's last battle, the unbeaten UFC great still has followers hoping he may return to the cage. Following a strong victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020, the Russian superstar stopped down. At 32, he was at his height. Since then, talk of a comeback has never gone away. But now, after a recent interview on July 27, 2025, Khabib has made it clearer than ever why stepping back into the Octagon is no longer possible for him. Khabib Nurmagomedov says very long training needed for return Speaking on The Hustle Show in an interview aired on July 27, 2025, Khabib Nurmagomedov explained that a return to fighting would take much more than a few weeks of practice. He said, 'Two or three months wouldn't be enough. I'll be 37 in September.' According to him, getting ready for an actual fight would take at least six months of full focus and strict routine. — alkassenglish (@alkassenglish) Khabib explained that many people look at fighters and think they're ready just by how fit they look. But that's not how it works. He stated that what actually counts is the number of sparring rounds you have completed and the standard of your sparring opponents. He also said that when he fought, his life was totally focused, no travel, no additional activities, six days a week of morning and evening training and rest on Sunday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo He made it very evident that cardio or weight training do not get you ready for an actual fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov remains committed to coaching his team On October 24, 2020, Khabib triangled Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi to defend his UFC lightweight title for the third time in his career. After the fight, he retired in the cage, fulfilling a promise he made to his mother after losing his father and lifelong coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He's now concentrating on coaching. He works closely with Islam Makhachev, current UFC lightweight champion, as well as his cousins Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov. Khabib has firmly said there is 'no chance—not even one percent' of a comeback and even turns down wrestling or grappling match offers. Also Read: Conor McGregor Fires Back At Khabib Nurmagomedov In Deleted Post As UFC Feud Resurfaces FAQs 1. Will Khabib Nurmagomedov ever fight in UFC again? No, Khabib says there's 'no chance' he'll return to the UFC or fight again. 2. Why did Khabib Nurmagomedov retire so early? He retired in 2020 to honor a promise to his mother after his father passed away. 3. Is Khabib Nurmagomedov still involved in MMA? Yes, Khabib now coaches fighters like Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
MMA legend believes Conor McGregor rivalry was orchestrated by UFC
MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his rivalry with Conor McGregor was orchestrated by the UFC. McGregor and Khabib clashed in 2018 after years of animosity, with the Russian winning by submission as he retained the UFC lightweight title in one of the biggest ever fights in the sport's history. The build-up to the bout was fraught with controversy. Beginning with McGregor's infamous attack on a fighter's bus in New York which contained Nurmagomedov and ending with a string of uncomfortably personal press conferences, the rivalry was probably the most heated of the last decade. And MMA icon Khabib believes the feud was stoked by the UFC in a similar style to how a WWE storyline plays out, and he is convinced that upper management were pulling the strings behind the scenes. "Hunter might not like hearing this, but it was Dana White who built that fight up," Khabib said in a recent interview for The Hustle Show. "It was all Dana's doing. I even told him he did a good job. 'Good job, Dana.' Not just him. Hunter alone wouldn't have been enough. They were all involved." The now retired MMA superstar also spoke about how his scheduled final confrontation with McGregor never came to fruition thanks to McGregor's non-existent timekeeping skills. 'I still had weight to cut,' Nurmagomedov said. 'Everything was scheduled to the minute. At 2:30 p.m. you're supposed to arrive at the arena. You go backstage and wait, everyone is supposed to be there by 2:30. "At 3 p.m., the press conference starts. According to the schedule and the contract, it runs from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m., I think, no delays allowed. I showed up and asked if he had arrived yet. "They said, 'No.' And someone said, 'He hasn't even left yet.' He's probably going to be late. And I'm like, 'Aha.' Nurmagomedov went on to win that fight by submission and emphatically end the feud. He retired in 2020 after beating Justin Gaethje and hung up his gloves with a professional record of 29-0.
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
PFL Africa delivers the most spectacular night of fighting in Africa, ever
Victorious Costello van Steenis celebrates his PFL Middleweight title win against Johnny Eblen at Grand West Casino and Entertainment World last night. Photo: PFL Image: PFL It's official! South Africa is Mixed Martial Arts crazy! And the Professional Fighters League helped prove that last night as history was made in the Grand Arena down in Goodwood, Cape Town! Almost 5,000 people entered the entertainment venue last night and lent their voices to an action-packed night of fights as the PFL Africa and Champions Series: Road to Dubai served as a feast for starved Cape Town MMA fans. One of the many highlights of the night was when former UFC Lightweight champion and global superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov stepped inside the Grand Arena to corner his two Russian Athletes. The Dagestani's presence was met with an incredible roar as fans shouted 'Khabib!, Khabib!, Khabib!' continuously as PFL President Donn Davis took videos and content of the crowd, a good sign for the future of African MMA. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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While the UFC continues to deliver lip service and tease the African MMA community with this major 'UFC Africa' show, the PFL put its shoulder to the wheel and made things happen, appeasing millions of fans, but more importantly, creating invaluable opportunities for African athletes. PFL Africa rolled out its first leg of the 2025 Bantamweight and Heavyweight tournament as South Africa's Nkosi Ndebele, Zimbabwe's Simbarashe Hokonya, Algeria's Karim Henniene, and Angola's Boule Godogo advanced to the semi-final of the 135-pound tournament. In the Heavyweight division, Maxwell Djantou Nana and Abraham Bably delivered some incredible striking, power, and skill to earn wins via decision and KO, respectively, moving one step closer to the PFL Africa Heavyweight title. While it was not ideal for fans who were baying for more Heavyweight action, South Africa's Justin Clarke and Joffie Houlton both confirmed their slots in the big-boy division after early Doctor stoppages against Jashell Ticha Awa and Abdoulaye Kane, respectively. Clarke moved to 3-0 after doctors advised against Awa coming back out of his corner due to a serious nose injury, which led to a TKO result. Kane was disqualified following an illegal knee to the grounded Houlton not long before the second round. In the main event, Costello Van Steenis pulled off one of the biggest comeback wins in MMA history, submitting previously undefeated Johnny Eblen with just seconds left in the fifth and final round to become the new PFL Middleweight World Champion. Eblen, who had stuck to his bread and butter by rolling out his strong wrestling and grappling game, was seemingly on his way to a unanimous decision win after controlling the fight for the majority of the time. Eblen, known for being a strong starter, dominated the first two rounds and seemed to have tired his opponent who looked to lose some snap in his shots, however, Van Steenis found his second breath in the third and landed some damaging shots opening up the champion who understood that he should avoid striking with Van Steenis - who represents that trademark Dutch Kickboxing culture. In between the last three rounds, Eblen's team and doctors did their best to patch up the damage inflicted, especially a nasty gash on the back of his head. Eblen's every shot for the takedown was met with disdain from the crowd, who responded with boos as they wanted to see some striking exchanges. Every time Van Steenis broke free, the Grand Arena reverberated with celebrations, as a hungry MMA nation found a new gladiator to adopt as their own. In the dying seconds of the fifth round, Van Steenis managed to take Eblen's back and sink in the rear-naked choke, put the former champion to sleep, and shock the MMA world. In the co-main event, 2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva of the United Kingdom put on a striking masterclass as she demolished Sumiko Inaba of the United States to earn a unanimous decision victory. Ditcheva's elite Muay Thai was on full display as she punished Inaba with an arsenal of punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and devastating clinch work. The ultra-tough Inaba was as game as they come, continuing to push forward all fight long. In the end, however, Ditcheva was just too much for the Hawaiian as she cruised to a dominant win. Former Bellator Featherweight Champion AJ McKee of the United States was successful in his return to 145 pounds as he earned a unanimous decision victory over Russia's Akhmed Magomedov. Out to prove that he's still 'the baddest man' in the Featherweight division, McKee turned in a well-rounded performance as he out-struck and out-grappled Magomedov for all three rounds to get the impressive win. The First Round of the inaugural 2025 PFL Africa Tournament continues on Saturday, August 9th, from the Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Johannesburg, South Africa, with fighters in the Featherweight and Welterweight Divisions competing for a shot at glory. The action takes place live via the PFL App in the US. PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town Results: Costello van Steenis (17-3) def. Johnny Eblen (16-1) via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:51 of round five Dakota Ditcheva (15-0) def. Sumiko Inaba (8-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-24) AJ McKee (23-2) def. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Artur Zaynukov (16-4) def. Takeshi Izumi (6-4) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) Corey Anderson (19-6, 1 NC) def. Denis Goltsov (36-9) via TKO (strikes) at 3:28 of round two 2025 PFL Africa Cape Town First Round Results: Nkosi Ndebele (9-3) def. Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of round one Maxwell Djantou Nana (7-1) def. Mickael Groguhe (6-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-25) Boule Godogo (4-0) def. Shannon van Tonder (7-3) via split decision (30-26, 29-27, 28-29) Justin Clarke (3-0) def. Jashell Ticha Awa (3-2) via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round one Karim Henniene (5-0) def. Asiashu Tshitamba (6-5) via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) Joffie Houlton (8-4) def. Abdoulaye Kane (3-1) via DQ (Illegal Knee) at 0:40 of round one Simbarashe Hokonya (6-0) def. Frans Mlambo (15-7) via unanimous decision (30-26 x2, 30-25) Abraham Bably (6-2) def. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (8-6) via KO (punch) at 4:59 of round one Juliet Ukah (7-0) def. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-3) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Awkward on-air moment as Khabib Nurmagomedov snubs CBS Sports host's handshake
Image Source: Getty Images During the 2025 Champions League final, something unexpected happened on live TV. UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov kindly declined a handshake from CBS Sports anchor Kate Scott, which was captured after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Inter Milan 5-0. Khabib's decision was rooted in his Muslim faith, and both his team and Scott also pointed out that his lack of a handshake was different from celebrating with the PSG players after the match. Khabib Nurmagomedov's respectful refusal sparks debate In June 2025, the Champions League final took place at the Allianz Arena in Germany and PSG won 5-0 over Inter Milan. As usual, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and host Kate Scott led the coverage of the game on CBS Sports.. After the match, Khabib Nurmagomedov and streamer IShowSpeed joined them on the field. Khabib happily shook hands with the male hosts but gently declined Scott's handshake, placing his hand on his chest instead. This is because, as a devout Muslim, his faith does not allow touching unrelated women. Scott apologized on air and kept things friendly. On X, some fans praised Khabib, with one saying, 'Khabib stayed true to his beliefs, respect.' Others thought he could have greeted Scott better, as one user noted, 'He didn't even look at her at first.' The moment got people talking about faith and respect. Kate Scott's professionalism shines through Kate Scott stayed calm and professional despite the awkward moment, winning fans' hearts. She quickly said sorry on air and moved the talk back to PSG's big win, their first Champions League title. Khabib, a huge PSG fan, was thrilled to be there with his friend, UFC fighter Islam Makhachev. They even took pictures with PSG player Achraf Hakimi and the trophy. Also Read : UFC Fans get divided as new training video of middleweight fighter Khamzat Chimaev goes viral ahead of the title bout at UFC 319 This wasn't the first time Khabib's faith shaped how he acts. In 2020, UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo said Khabib doesn't train directly with women because of his beliefs, but he still shares tips kindly. Scott's smooth handling of the situation kept the show fun and focused on football. The Champions League final was a huge night for PSG, but Khabib's moment with Scott got everyone's attention. His faith as a Sunni Muslim guides him to avoid physical contact with women he's not related to, as noted by Muslim cultural sources.
