Azamat Bostanov, now an MMA manager, shared memories from UFC 223 eight years ago when Khabib Nurmagomedov won the lightweight title. Bostanov recalled interviewing Artem Lobov after his confrontation with Khabib, then being told by Ali Abdel-Aziz to stay away from their team. Khabib intervened, saying Bostanov was their guy just doing his job. After the Al Iaquinta victory, Khabib remained gracious despite exhaustion, taking photos with fans and talking to numerous well-wishers in his hotel room. The journalist also recalled Zabit Magomedsharipov fighting with two broken fingers at the same event without telling officials. Years later, Khabib still recognized Bostanov on the street and offered him a ride, demonstrating consistent humility despite his fame.
Azamat Bostanov, now working as an MMA manager, has shared a series of personal memories from UFC 223 in April 2018, the night Khabib Nurmagomedov captured the UFC lightweight title with a victory over Al Iaquinta.
Khabib, who retired with a perfect 29-0 record, built his legacy as one of combat sports' most dominant figures. The 37-year-old Russian, standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, was renowned for his suffocating grappling, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His opponent that night, Al Iaquinta, was a durable and technically sound fighter who carried a 14-7-1 record across his career. The American, also five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, averaged over four significant strikes per minute and was a late replacement challenger for that championship bout.
Bostanov recalled that earlier in the event week, he had interviewed Artem Lobov — the 39-year-old Irish-based featherweight with a 13-15-1 record — following Lobov's confrontation with Khabib's team. When manager Ali Abdel-Aziz told Bostanov to keep his distance from their camp, Khabib stepped in and vouched for the journalist, saying he was simply doing his job.
After the championship victory over Iaquinta, Bostanov described a gracious and unhurried Khabib who, despite his exhaustion, remained accessible to fans and spent time talking with well-wishers gathered in his hotel room. Bostanov also recalled that Zabit Magomedsharipov competed at the same event with two broken fingers, a detail that was kept from officials at the time.
Why it matters
- The account adds texture to Khabib's public image, showing consistent character both inside and outside competition
- Bostanov noted that years after UFC 223, Khabib still recognized him on the street and offered him a ride, underscoring the same humility described from fight night
- The recollection about Magomedsharipov competing injured adds a previously unreported detail from the UFC 223 card
