Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland shared a moment with former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov in a post on Instagram. The post featured a joint photograph and prompted comments from Haaland praising meeting a legendary figure in Abu Dhabi.
Nurmagomedov, who stepped away from competitive fighting in the fall of 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje, cited a vow he made to his mother about not returning to competition without his father. Following his retirement, he shifted his focus to leadership in combat sports by launching Eagle FC, a promotion aimed at continuing the growth of MMA beyond his active fighting days. He remains a prominent figure in the sport, frequently referenced in discussions about dominance in the lightweight division and the sport’s evolving landscape.
Nurmagomedov’s career highlight included a high-profile victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 on October 7, 2018. The fight concluded in the fourth round when McGregor submitted, preserving Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record at the time. Across his 29 fights in mixed martial arts, he accrued an unblemished record, a fact often cited in profiles detailing one of MMA’s most dominant champions. A 2021 survey conducted by a major Russian public opinion foundation named him sportsman of the year, reflecting his profound impact on the sport and his popularity beyond the cage. In late October 2023, Nurmagomedov announced his departure from all fighting activities, signaling a permanent exit from competition and a continued focus on his broader business and promotional ventures.
In related notes from the period, there were separate, unrelated reports involving other fighters in the United States, underscoring the varied and sometimes turbulent dynamics surrounding the sport and its athletes as they navigate fame, competition, and personal conduct. These incidents are routinely covered in sports media, contributing to ongoing discussions about athlete safety, career longevity, and the evolving governance of mixed martial arts globally.
Overall, the public record on Nurmagomedov’s career emphasizes a blend of exceptional competitive success, strategic retirement, and ongoing influence through promotional leadership, while Haaland’s social media presence underscores the intersection of elite sports figures across different disciplines engaging in cross-sport recognition and international fanfare. [Citation: Sport career highlights and post-retirement activities of Khabib Nurmagomedov; Haaland-Nurmagomedov social media interaction report.]