Khabib Nurmagomedov visits Real Madrid training, declares club 'team of my heart'

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the undefeated former UFC lightweight champion, paid a visit to Real Madrid's training facility and used the occasion to declare the Spanish giants the club closest to his heart.

The Dagestani legend, who retired from mixed martial arts with a perfect 29-0-0 record, described a lifelong passion for football that stretches back to his childhood. He noted that while his career has taken him to stadiums and training grounds belonging to many of the world's top clubs, Real Madrid occupies a unique place in his affections. He also reflected on never having imagined, as a young fan growing up in Dagestan, Russia, that he would one day receive invitations from elite footballing institutions.

Nurmagomedov, now 37 and representing Fightspirit Team, remains one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. During his tenure as UFC lightweight champion, he established himself as one of the most dominant grapplers the sport has ever seen, averaging 5.32 takedowns per fifteen minutes across his career. His orthodox stance and pressure-based style were complemented by a striking output of 4.1 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy — numbers that underscored a well-rounded game built on relentless control.

Why it matters

• Khabib's global profile continues to create high-profile crossover moments between MMA and mainstream sports
• The visit reinforces the growing cultural and commercial overlap between elite football and combat sports figures
• As one of the sport's most prominent retired champions, Nurmagomedov's public appearances consistently draw significant attention to MMA on the world stage