Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov showcased his playful side in a recent video where he reminisced about his previous interactions with a reporter. Known for his strict discipline in training and his traditional values, Nurmagomedov’s influence extends beyond the octagon, sometimes reaching into unexpected areas—like fashion.
In the footage, Nurmagomedov shared an amusing anecdote about how he influenced a journalist’s fashion choices. “I made a man out of him. I made him take off his pink socks,” he said with a smile. The undefeated mixed martial artist recalled when the reporter first came to interview him, wearing pink socks and sporting an unusual hairstyle. He particularly remembered the reporter’s distinctive headwear. “Did you see the hat he arrived in? It was like a knitted pilot’s hat from the 1920s,” Nurmagomedov explained.
Taking things a step further, Nurmagomedov even contacted the reporter’s mother about his fashion choices. “I asked his mother, ‘How do you let him leave the house like this?'” he shared, before adding that he gave specific instructions about the reporter’s appearance. The Dagestani legend concluded his story with a warm sentiment, calling the journalist “a good guy by nature,” but couldn’t resist one final piece of advice: “Tell him not to wear pink and yellow things.”
While this exchange highlights Nurmagomedov’s humorous side, it also reflects his firm adherence to traditional values, which have been at the center of many of his public statements. His recent comments on gender identity and LGBTQ+ representation in sports have sparked heated discussions on social media. During a public appearance, he referred to the rainbow flag as a “crazy people flag” and questioned why faith-based values aren’t promoted with the same enthusiasm.
“A lot of these crazy people, even in football, they wear this [LGBT] flag, crazy people flag, they promote this [flag]. Why can we not promote our faith? Why can’t we promote what we believe?” Nurmagomedov asked, reinforcing his long-held views.
His perspective on gender was further highlighted in an event in Las Vegas, where he shared his confusion regarding gender-neutral bathrooms. “I only know men and women. There’s nothing in between. It’s crazy. A few weeks ago, I was in California, and I went to a cafe. I wanted to go to the bathroom. They showed me where to go. I go upstairs and there are two doors that say ‘For all genders.'”
Nurmagomedov, who has always maintained a strict and disciplined lifestyle, runs his training camps with a similar philosophy. A recent video revealed that athletes at his gym must adhere to a haircut code or face punishment. A coach was seen inspecting fighters’ haircuts, and those with hair deemed too long were hit with a bamboo stick as punishment.
“In Khabib’s gym, there is a haircut code that you can’t break. If you do, here is the punishment.”
This discipline extends beyond just haircuts. Nurmagomedov’s long-time coach, Javier Mendez, revealed that fighters in Khabib’s camp also have their phones confiscated when training. “He takes their phones away and puts them in jail. He’s very strict. You get out of line, you’re going in the wrong area, he’s going to… because that’s what his father did,” Mendez explained.
Throughout his professional career, Nurmagomedov’s adherence to his principles has remained consistent. Even in retirement, he continues to embody the same discipline, from his coaching methods to his personal beliefs. This consistency has drawn admiration from supporters and criticism from those who see his views as outdated.
His interaction with the reporter is just another example of how his philosophy extends beyond the gym. Whether he’s training fighters, commenting on social issues, or giving unsolicited fashion advice, Nurmagomedov remains true to his beliefs.
Love him or hate him, one thing is clear—Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t changing for anyone.
