UFC stars have responded to the ongoing conflict between Russia-Ukraine. The former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and several other MMA fighters hailing from the region have responded to the latest step taken by the country.
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In a series of videos that have surfaced online, Dagestani women took the charge and protested in large numbers against the step. In some of the videos, they are also chasing the policemen in the protests.
Several prominent people hailing from the Dagestan region have expressed their opinions. MMA fighters are among them, and this is what they have said.
What Khabib Nurmagomedov and other MMA fighters said
‘The Eagle’ Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram to express his views on this step. He shared a post with a video of the graveyard.
A group of women successfully chases away a lone policeman at an anti-mobilisation protest in Dagestan https://t.co/TBCl9khPGK pic.twitter.com/jwJLqVPIcO
— Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) September 25, 2022
He captioned the post, “But we are not ready…. [translated]“.
View this post on Instagram
The Dagestan-born fighter has achieved great heights in combat sports and remains one of the most popular MMA fighters. He finished his MMA career with a professional record of 29-0.
Another Dagestan-born fighter, Muhammad Mokaev, posted an elaborate heartfelt caption on Instagram. He expressed concern over how the protesting women were treated and explained that a very situation was taking place in Dagestan.
Mokaev has a professional record of 8-0. He last fought C. Johnson and is currently hitting the gym for his upcoming fight with Michael Gordon at UFC 280.
He commented, “You oppress your own people, it is clear that you have an order to stop the rally, but you can do without pulling women and shooting in the air. If you are going to be taken away tomorrow, your women will stand up for you as well. [translated]”
View this post on Instagram
He declared further that one should do their job and added, “Tomorrow you do not know what the situation will be in your homes! In Dagestan, people have so small salaries, men earn as much as they can, and they are taken away to fight… understand your own people, at least women!”
Two other MMA fighters who hail from the same region shared similar sentiments. UFC lightweight fighter Magomed Mustafaev stated, “May Allah humiliate all the suppressors.”
Another MMA fighter, Magomed Umalatov, contracted to PFL, shared his views without reservation. With a similar tone to Mustafaev, he said, “May the Almighty humiliate all oppressors.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s fighting promotion
Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in March 2021, and the Russian fighter started his own MMA promotion. ‘The Eagle’ purchased the Gorilla Fighting Championship, the promotion based in his home region of Dagestan for reportedly $1 million.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA FEBRUARY 9, 2021: MMA fighter, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov attends EFC 33 Eagle Fighting Championship at Irina Viner-Usmanova Gymnastics Palace. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)
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Interestingly, the fighter named the new promotion after his popular ring name and renamed it Eagle Fighting Championship(EFC) after his moniker.
Thereafter, EFC made growth in leaps and bounds and hence ventured out of Russia. It held its first US event in January this year.
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Watch this story: Everything you need to know about Khabib’s fighting promotion- Eagle Fighting Championship
What do you think of the situation, and the comments made by the fighters? Let us know.