Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, has shared his memories from UFC 223 in Brooklyn eight years ago when Khabib Nurmagomedov became UFC champion. Bostanov recalls arriving as a fledgling YouTuber and interviewing Artem Lobov after the infamous confrontation with Khabib. When Ali Abdelaziz told him to stay away from their team, Khabib intervened, saying "This is our guy, he's just doing his work." Bostanov also remembers Dagestan fighters gathering at the hotel ready to protect Khabib from Conor's team, and Zabit fighting with two broken fingers without telling the commission. After the victory, despite exhaustion, Khabib took photos with fans, including putting his championship belt on Bostanov's shoulders, and spent time talking to a room full of people he mostly didn't know. Years later, Khabib recognized Bostanov on the street and offered him a ride, showing the same approachable nature.
