Khabib Nurmagomedov attended a Real Madrid training session and reaffirmed his lifelong support for the Spanish club. The retired UFC champion reflected on following football since childhood and expressed amazement at being invited by top clubs around the world. Khabib stated that while he has visited many stadiums and training centers of different clubs, Real Madrid remains "the club of my heart." He spoke about how he never imagined as a child that he would one day receive such invitations from elite football organizations.
Retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov made a visit to Real Madrid's training ground, using the occasion to reaffirm his deep-rooted support for the Spanish club, it was reported on April 17, 2026.
Nurmagomedov, 37, stepped away from mixed martial arts in October 2020 with a perfect 29-0-0 professional record, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest lightweights in the history of the sport. The Russian, who trained out of Fightspirit Team, was renowned for a suffocating wrestling-based style that produced an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. He remains undefeated and widely regarded as the gold standard of the 155-pound division.
Away from the cage, Nurmagomedov has spoken openly about his love of football. During the visit he reflected on following the sport since childhood, describing his amazement that elite clubs from around the world now extend invitations to him. Despite having toured stadiums and training facilities of various top clubs, he made clear that Real Madrid holds a singular place in his affections, calling it the club of his heart.
Why it matters
- Nurmagomedov's global profile continues to grow well beyond MMA, reinforcing the crossover appeal of combat sports stars in the wider sporting world.
- His public declaration of loyalty to Real Madrid over other clubs he has visited adds a personal dimension to what has become a high-profile off-sport presence.
- As one of the most recognizable athletes to emerge from Russia and the broader post-Soviet region, his appearances at marquee football institutions draw significant international media attention.
