Russian federal authorities have once again frozen the bank accounts of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, marking the second such incident in less than two years.
According to state-run media outlet RIA Novosti Sport, the accounts were blocked due to “the failure of the taxpayer organisation to submit a tax declaration to the tax authority within twenty days after the deadline.”
This latest development follows a similar situation in 2024 when the Federal Tax Service (FTS) froze Nurmagomedov’s accounts over outstanding tax payments, penalties, and fines. At that time, Telegram channel Mash reported that the champion’s tax debt totaled approximately $3.2 million. Court bailiffs also seized assets belonging to the athlete worth around $850,000, though that debt was later settled and enforcement proceedings closed.
The financial complications have extended beyond just Nurmagomedov’s personal accounts. Several organizations connected to the former champion have faced scrutiny, including his MMA promotional company Eagle FC, his charitable foundation, and the now-defunct travel agency Hikmet Travel, which ceased operations in 2022 after the FTS identified irregularities in its documentation.
In November 2024, reports emerged about frozen accounts belonging to two other Nurmagomedov-linked enterprises — the Football Ball Museum and the Foundation for the Development of Education, Sport, and Social Initiatives. As of Wednesday, the FTS has not provided updates on the status of these restrictions.
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov has been investing significantly in sports infrastructure in his native Dagestan. According to TASS, he recently completed a high-altitude training facility in the Dagestani mountains with an investment of approximately $5.4 million. The complex, situated more than 1,000 meters above sea level, features a combat sports hall, fitness areas, medical facilities, and accommodations for athletes and coaches.
“The base is finished and is fully operational. Our team has already started training there. As far as I know, it’s fully booked until the end of the summer,” Nurmagomedov’s manager Rizvan Magomedov told TASS.
The 36-year-old Nurmagomedov retired from professional competition in October 2020 after defeating American Justin Gaethje in the second round at UFC 254. He left the sport with a perfect 29-0 record, becoming the first fighter in UFC lightweight history to retire undefeated.
Nurmagomedov’s career highlights include capturing the UFC lightweight title in April 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta and his victory over Irish star Conor McGregor later that year — a bout that generated over $200 million in revenue, setting an MMA record.
Since retiring, Nurmagomedov has focused on business ventures and coaching. He was named Fighter of the Year by ESPN’s ESPY Awards in 2021 and became the first Russian inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022. It remains unclear whether he plans to appeal the tax authority’s actions or submit the required declarations retroactively.
