Khabib Nurmagomedov attended a training session of Real Madrid and reaffirmed his affection for the Spanish football club. The retired UFC champion stated he has followed football since childhood and never imagined he would be invited by the world's best clubs. Khabib mentioned he has visited many stadiums and training centers of different clubs around the world. He emphasized that Real Madrid is the club of his heart. The visit highlights Khabib's continued high profile in the sports world beyond MMA.
Retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov made a high-profile appearance away from the fight world on April 17, 2026, attending a training session at Real Madrid and reaffirming his deep connection to the Spanish football club.
Nurmagomedov, 37, walked away from mixed martial arts with a perfect 29-0 record, cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant fighters the sport has ever seen. Known as "The Eagle," the Russian grappling specialist represented Fightspirit Team throughout his career, finishing it as UFC lightweight champion without ever tasting defeat. During his time in the cage, he averaged 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underlined the suffocating wrestling-based game plan that made him nearly impossible to beat.
During the visit, Khabib spoke about his lifelong love of football, noting that he has followed the sport since childhood and never anticipated receiving invitations from clubs of Real Madrid's stature. He described the Spanish giants as the club of his heart and reflected on having visited stadiums and training facilities belonging to clubs across the world.
Why it matters
- Khabib remains one of the most recognizable names in global combat sports nearly five years after his retirement, and appearances like this reinforce that profile.
- His continued visibility keeps the UFC lightweight division's historical standard in the public conversation, even in his absence.
- The visit underlines how elite MMA athletes are increasingly embraced by the wider sports mainstream, crossing over into football, basketball, and beyond.
