Khabib Nurmagomedov claims he didn’t take notice of paycheck during career
Russian superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov recently claimed that he didn’t take much notice of what he was being paid during his fighting career, especially during his first title fight with Al Iaquinta at UFC 223.
In many’s eyes, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest and most dominant champion the lightweight division has seen. Arguably the sport as a whole… It’s hard to say different with the thirty-three-year-old closing out his MMA career with an undefeated record of (29-0).
Nurmagomedov attained UFC gold in 2018 with a unanimous decision win over Al Iaquinta after six years of climbing the rankings. “The Eagle” held and successfully defended the belt for three years, collecting notable victories over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje, before closing the curtain on his career.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Khabib Nurmagmedov stated he was never one to take note of how much he was being paid per fight. Claiming he left that all down to his manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Khabib Nurmagomedov talks UFC Pay
“Now I understand why I have good relationship with Dana because I don’t fight for money,” Nurmagomedov said. That’s why. I never asked Dana or [the] UFC like about money. My manager was [dealing] with them. But I remember when I suppose to fight first time for the title, I was like in Brooklyn in 2018. After the weigh-in. People talk about money, how much they make, and I’m like, ‘Ali [Abdelaziz], how much would I make for this fight? He’s like, ‘You serious?’ I don’t know how much I make.”
Khabib followed that up by explaining the real reason he got into the sport.
“Because I don’t pay attention in this kind of fight because I was there to become champion. My goal was not to make money in this sport but I don’t judge guys who fight for money. They have to take care of their families and kids but I am not against them at all, I know one thing though if you sign the deal and the contract you have to fight.”
Since retirement Khabib Nurmagomedov’s sole focus has been on continuing his father’s legacy of coaching. He is coaching, but he is also successfully building his fight promotion, Eagle FC.
The former lightweight champion has consistently ruled out a UFC return and assures fans he’s enjoying retirement. What do you think? Can Nurmagomedov be roped back into active competition?
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