Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, shared memories from Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC 223 championship victory in Brooklyn eight years ago. After Bostanov interviewed Artem Lobov following the infamous confrontation with Khabib, manager Ali Abdelaziz told him to stay away from their team, but Khabib intervened saying "This is our guy, he's just doing his job." Despite being exhausted after winning the title against Al Iaquinta, Khabib took time to meet with fans, take photos, and speak with everyone who wanted to congratulate him. Bostanov also recalled seeing 20-30 Dagestanis gather at the hotel to protect Khabib from potential provocations by Conor McGregor's team. The manager emphasized that Khabib remained the same humble, smiling person even after multiple title defenses.
Fighter manager Azamat Bostanov has shared personal memories from the night Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed the UFC lightweight title at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, reflecting on a moment of unexpected grace from the champion amid the chaos surrounding that event.
Bostanov recalled conducting an interview with Artem Lobov, the 39-year-old Irish-based featherweight who had been at the center of the notorious backstage confrontation with Khabib's team. After the interview aired, manager Ali Abdelaziz told Bostanov to keep his distance from the camp. Khabib, however, stepped in and defended him, saying the reporter was simply doing his job.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, now 37 and retired with a perfect 29-0 record, defeated Al Iaquinta that night to capture the lightweight title. The Russian fighter from Dagestan was one of the most dominant grapplers the sport has ever seen, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career and finishing with a striking accuracy of 48 percent. Iaquinta, also 39 and representing the Serra-Longo Fight Team, carried a record of 14-7-1 and proved a durable opponent with a nearly identical physical frame — both men standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach.
Lobov, who stands five-foot-nine with a 65-inch reach, was fighting out of SBG Ireland at the time and had become entangled in the broader tensions between the Nurmagomedov and McGregor camps.
Why it matters
- The account adds rare first-hand detail to one of the most turbulent weeks in UFC history
- It presents a contrasting image of Khabib as composed and considerate despite the surrounding hostility
- Bostanov notes that 20 to 30 Dagestanis gathered at the hotel that night to shield Khabib from potential provocations by Conor McGregor's team
- The memory reinforces how Khabib's reputation for humility was consistent even at the peak of his championship run
