Latest news with #Dagestan
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria
Team Makhachev Reveals UFC's Power Play to Elevate Ilia Topuria originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As Islam Makhachev gears up for a move to welterweight, questions surrounding his lightweight exit continue to stir. Many expected him to face the rising Ilia Topuria in a blockbuster title clash—but that fight never materialized. Now, a new revelation from within Makhachev's camp offers a deeper look into why the bout was bypassed. Advertisement In a conversation captured by Adam Zubayraev and shared by Red Corner MMA, Umar Nurmagomedov—Makhachev's teammate—shared surprising insight. Islam MakhachevGetty Images He revealed that UFC executive Hunter Campbell traveled to Dagestan to personally convince Makhachev to move up in weight so that Topuria could take over as the new lightweight champion. 'He [Hunter] came to see Islam, and they wanted Islam to move up. They want to make Topuria the champ at 155. They believe he can really sell fights,' Umar said. 'Islam doesn't want to give up his belt — he wants to fight at 155 too. Islam can take the 170 title, then return to 155 and hold both belts.' The comments have left fans confused and speculating about UFC's intentions. One post summed it up: 'Lemme get this straight … Hunter came to Dagestan to convince Makhachev to go up? But not fight the BIGGEST FIGHT the UFC can make with him and Topuria?' Others questioned the terms: 'Seems like Makhachev declined the fight then was FORCED to go up…' 'Islam isn't active enough to defend both and I'm sure they gave him a choice either vacate and move up or stay at 155 and fight Topuria'. With tensions simmering between both camps and the storyline only heating up, fans can only hope the fight eventually gets made. When the dust settles on UFC 317—and again when Makhachev squares off with Jack Della Maddalena—we might finally get some clarity. If the stars align, maybe Dana White and the UFC will circle back to the lightweight showdown fans actually want. Until then, all we can do is watch, wait, and keep the Twitter fingers ready. Advertisement Related: Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star Related: UFC Champion Shares Hard Truth About Jon Jones: 'It's a Responsibility' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov who refused to shake female commentator's hand on live TV is accused of blacklisting fighter because he thinks he's gay
A Spanish fighter and YouTuber has claimed that UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov will never train with him again because he mistakenly believes that he is gay. Popular influencer and martial artist Flexcidine recently travelled to Dagestan to meet Nurmagomedov and UFC champion Islam Makhachev. According to Flexcidine, things went smoothly until there was a misunderstanding about the Spaniard's sexuality. 'If I return to Dagestan, I will most likely be able to train with Islam again,' Flexcidine told Youtuber Rene ZZ. 'It's completely impossible for me to see Khabib again until the day I die. 'For the simple fact that he thinks I'm gay. 'Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks I'm homosexual. That I like men.' The YouTuber explained that the undefeated UFC legend had seen a recent prank video he'd made where he pretended to kiss his male training partner. 'Khabib, who is super religious. He has hard time keeping eye contact with me,' said Flexcidine. 'I swear bro, he couldn't look at me because he thought I was f***ing gay. 'It's over. That's it, that's it.' The former UFC champion made headlines earlier this week after he refused to shake TV host Kate Scott's hand during a Champions League final TV segment on account of his faith. CBS Sports covered the action with their regular punditry trio of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards and presenter Scott. After Les Parisiens' crushing 5-0 victory, the group were joined at pitch side by popular streamer IShowSpeed and the UFC icon. As the former fighter made his way over to his group he embraced each member individually before declining a handshake from Scott as her hand remained awkwardly outstretched. Nurmagomedov then appeared to clarify his refusal to the presenter who subsequently apologised on air. Born in the Russian republic of Dagestan, the fighter is a devout Sunni Muslim and has been described as the faith's second most famous athlete in the world, after Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah. In Islam it is forbidden for a believer to touch a member of the opposite sex that they are not related to. The incident comes after a fellow UFC fighter and female team-mate of Nurmagomedov's revealed in 2020 that he would not train directly with her. 'It's a little bit weird because of their religion... they won't train with women,' Cynthia Calvillo told theScore. '(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's handshake refusal led to a mixed reaction on social media, with some fans insisting that he had not meant to offend Scott. 'Khabib respectfully declining Kate Abdo's handshake #respect,' wrote one X user. 'Beautiful! Very respectful from Khabib. I love to see this,' added another fan. 'I hope that she understood that it's a mark of respect in our religion and not a marginalization,' one fan stated. However, others were less impressed and suggested Nurmagomedov had not shown the same respect to Scott as he did to her male colleagues. 'That didn't seem respectful. Forget about physical handshake, he even ignored her and didn't even greet and acknowledge her until she put her hands out,' one fan wrote. Despite the initial awkwardness over the handshake, Nurmagomedov quickly settled into speaking about his beloved PSG after their dominant victory. It was the French side's first European Cup triumph, and Nurmagomedov and fellow UFC star Islam Makhachev were there to witness it in person.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Watch: UFC fighter Khabib refuses to shake hands with Kate Scott over ‘Muslim beliefs'
Credit: CBS Sports Golazo / Paramount+ CBS presenter Kate Scott apologised live on air after UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake her hand during their Champions League final coverage. As the team of Scott, known as Kate Abdo before marriage, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Theirry Henry were providing post-match punditry on Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 victory in Munich they were joined by the former fighter and streamer IShowSpeed live on air. Advertisement Nurmagomedov, who famously beat Conor McGregor in 2018, shook the hand of every member of the panel before awkwardly rejecting the outstretched hand of Scott. The 36-year-old clarified his position to Scott who then apologised for her attempt on air, by saying: 'I apologise, thank you so much. Khabib, UFC fighter, it's a pleasure to have you. We didn't know you were here!' Scott then moved the conversation to asking Nurmagomedov about his love for Paris Saint-Germain before he admitted he was also a Real Madrid man as he joked with Henry about 'breaking his heart' in 2006 after he scored the winner at the Bernabeu in the knockout stages. Nurmagomedov watched PSG win the Champions League alongside Islam Makhachev (right) - Getty Images/Michel Regan It is believed that Nurmagomedov's decision to refuse Scott's hand is because he is a devout Sunni Muslim from the Russian Republic of Dagestan. Advertisement In Islam, it is forbidden for a man to touch any part of a woman whether she is Muslim or non-Muslim unless they are related or married. Scott has been praised for navigating a potential awkward situation with excellent professionalism but it is not the first time the unbeaten former UFC fighter has refused to train with females in the gym because of their beliefs. Speaking about her experience, fellow UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo said she found their decision 'weird'. She told theScore: 'It's a little bit weird because of their religion ... they won't train with women. '[Nurmagomedov] 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.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
News.com.au
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
UFC legend refuses to shake female presenter's hand
Unbeaten UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has declined to shake presenter Kate Scott's hand on live TV.
Telegraph
01-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Watch: UFC fighter Khabib refuses to shake hands with Kate Scott over ‘Muslim beliefs'
CBS presenter Kate Scott apologised live on air after UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake her hand during their Champions League final coverage. As the team of Scott, known as Kate Abdo before marriage, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and Theirry Henry were providing post-match punditry on Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 victory in Munich they were joined by the former fighter and streamer IShowSpeed live on air. Nurmagomedov, who famously beat Conor McGregor in 2018, shook the hand of every member of the panel before awkwardly rejecting the outstretched hand of Scott. The 36-year-old clarified his position to Scott who then apologised for her attempt on air, by saying: 'I apologise, thank you so much. Khabib, UFC fighter, it's a pleasure to have you. We didn't know you were here!' Scott then moved the conversation to asking Nurmagomedov about his love for Paris Saint-Germain before he admitted he was also a Real Madrid man as he joked with Henry about 'breaking his heart' in 2006 after he scored the winner at the Bernabeu in the knockout stages. It is believed that Nurmagomedov's decision to refuse Scott's hand is because he is a devout Sunni Muslim from the Russian Republic of Dagestan. In Islam, it is forbidden for a man to touch any part of a woman whether she is Muslim or non-Muslim unless they are related or married. Scott has been praised for navigating a potential awkward situation with excellent professionalism but it is not the first time the unbeaten former UFC fighter has refused to train with females in the gym because of their beliefs. Speaking about her experience, fellow UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo said she found their decision 'weird'. She told theScore: 'It's a little bit weird because of their religion ... they won't train with women. '[Nurmagomedov] 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.'
