Fight manager Azamat Bostanov shared memories from UFC 223 in Brooklyn eight years ago when Khabib Nurmagomedov became champion. Bostanov recalls interviewing Artem Lobov after the infamous confrontation with Khabib's team, and manager Ali Abdelaziz initially telling him to stay away from their camp. Khabib intervened positively, telling Abdelaziz that Bostanov was "our guy" just doing his job. Bostanov also reveals that Zabit broke two fingers during warmups before his fight but kept it secret to avoid being pulled by the athletic commission, went on to compete, and won. After the event, Khabib welcomed a huge crowd at his hotel, took photos, and spoke with everyone despite being exhausted. The manager describes Khabib as consistently friendly and approachable even after multiple title defenses.
Fight manager Azamat Bostanov has been reflecting on the night Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed the UFC lightweight title at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, sharing a series of behind-the-scenes memories from an event that became one of the most chaotic in recent promotional history.
Bostanov recalls being on the scene when the infamous confrontation between Khabib's team and Artem Lobov unfolded. After interviewing Lobov — the 39-year-old Irish-based southpaw from SBG Ireland who carries a professional record of 13-15-1 — Bostanov found himself briefly frozen out by manager Ali Abdelaziz, who told him to keep his distance from their camp. The situation defused quickly when Khabib himself stepped in, telling Abdelaziz that Bostanov was "our guy" simply doing his job.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, now 37, retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and remains one of the most dominant fighters the sport has seen. The Russian lightweight averaged an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per fifteen minutes across his career, pairing relentless grappling with a striking accuracy of 48 percent and 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute.
Bostanov also lifts the lid on a story involving fellow Russian Zabit Magomedsharipov. The featherweight, now 35 and carrying an 18-1-0 record, apparently broke two fingers during his warmup before his UFC 223 bout but chose to conceal the injury, fearing the athletic commission would pull him from the card. Zabit competed anyway and earned the victory. His career numbers reflect a fighter built for high output — nearly 4.89 significant strikes landed per minute combined with 5.22 takedowns per fifteen minutes.
Why it matters
- The recollections add texture to one of the UFC's most turbulent event weeks, which included the bus attack incident involving Conor McGregor's team.
- Bostanov's account reinforces Khabib's reputation as approachable and loyal to his circle, describing him greeting a large crowd at his hotel late into the night despite exhaustion after winning the title.
- The Zabit injury detail raises familiar questions about athletic commission oversight and the pressure fighters face to compete through undisclosed ailments.
