24 Years After the Infamous Bear Wrestling Episode, HOF Khabib Makes a Confession

Khabib Nurmagomedov dominated every opponent he faced in the UFC. The Eagle used his immense pressure and wrestling to win fights. The performances of Khabib Nurmagomedov are a testament to the hard work the fighter has put behind all the glory. During the 2022 UFC Hall Of Fame event, Nurmagomedov opened up on his preparation and on wrestling bears as a child.

During his speech at the UFC Hall Of Fame 2022, the Dagestan-born fighter said, “I have very good amateur career. I become two-time Russian champion, two-time world champion in combat sambo. I was compete everywhere.”

He further added, “I remember when I grow up, father make me compete like freestyle wrestling, Greco-roman, pankration, grappling, amateur MMA, combat sambo. Even he make me wrestle with the bears. This is how he teach me.” 

Read More: Greatest Fighters Of All Time- Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals Who’s On His List

There is no doubt Nurmagomedov trained hard to reach where he is today. Once, while talking to Megan Olivi, he opened up more about wrestling bears.

Khabib Nurmagomedov on his father making him wrestle bears

Being a champion in any sport isn’t easy. Along with skill, it also takes a lot of hard work. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career has been proof of it. The Eagle, in his preparation, has even wrestled bears.

Speaking about it, Nurmagomedov once said that it was his father who put him to wrestle with the bear. When Nurmagomedov would complain about the bear biting him, his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, would simply ask him to bite the bear back. He said, “When father put me wrestling with bear, when I told him, hey, this bear bite me.”

“I remember when he told me, bite him back. No problem. You have to wrestle, you have to keep going.” This statement proves the work ethic Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father instilled in him. Also, it is this work ethic that enabled The Eagle to achieve such immense heights in his fighting career.

Watch This Story: Five Things You Didn’t Know About Rising UFC Prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov

The life and career of Nurmagomedov will serve as an inspiration for many people around the world. Comment below and let us know how Khabib Nurmagomedov inspires you.