Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, shared memories from UFC 223 in Brooklyn eight years ago when Khabib Nurmagomedov became champion. Bostanov recalled interviewing Artem Lobov after the infamous confrontation with Khabib, which led to manager Ali Abdelaziz initially telling him to stay away from their team. However, Khabib intervened, saying "This is our guy, he's just doing his work," and welcomed Bostanov warmly. Bostanov also remembered 20-30 Dagestanis gathering at the hotel to protect Khabib from potential Conor McGregor provocations, and Zabit Magomedsharipov fighting with two broken fingers without telling anyone to avoid being pulled from the card. Despite being exhausted after winning the title, Khabib took time to meet with a huge crowd at his hotel, taking photos and speaking with everyone who called via video to send greetings to their relatives.
Fighter manager and journalist Azamat Bostanov has shared a collection of personal memories from UFC 223 fight week in Brooklyn, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at Khabib Nurmagomedov's character during one of the most chaotic weeks in UFC history.
Bostanov, reflecting on the event from eight years ago, recalled the tension surrounding the infamous confrontation between Khabib's team and Artem Lobov. After interviewing Lobov in the aftermath of that incident, Bostanov said manager Ali Abdelaziz initially warned him to keep his distance from their camp. Khabib himself stepped in, vouching for Bostanov directly and telling his team the journalist was simply doing his job, before welcoming him without hesitation.
The undefeated Khabib, now 37, retired with a perfect 29-0 record and remains one of the most decorated lightweights in UFC history. His wrestling-heavy style produced an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career, a figure that underscored how completely he controlled opponents inside the cage.
Bostanov also recalled that between 20 and 30 Dagestan natives gathered at the hotel during fight week, positioning themselves as a buffer against any potential provocations from the Conor McGregor camp. Despite the swirling chaos and the weight of winning the lightweight title, Khabib still made time late that night to meet a large crowd, taking photographs and joining video calls so fans could send greetings to relatives back home.
Also competing on that Brooklyn card was Zabit Magomedsharipov, now 35, who carries an 18-1 professional record. Bostanov revealed that Magomedsharipov fought through the event with two broken fingers, a fact he deliberately kept hidden to avoid being removed from the card.
Why it matters
- The anecdote reinforces the personal loyalty and community bonds central to Khabib's public image
- Magomedsharipov's hidden injury adds new context to his performance at UFC 223
- Bostanov's perspective offers an insider account rarely captured in mainstream coverage of a historically turbulent fight week
