Khabib Nurmagomedov attended a Real Madrid training session and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Spanish football club. The former UFC lightweight champion reflected on following football since childhood and expressed amazement at now being invited by the world's top clubs. Nurmagomedov stated he has visited many stadiums and training centers of different clubs throughout his post-fighting career. Despite these experiences with various elite teams, he emphasized that Real Madrid remains "the club of my heart." The visit demonstrates Nurmagomedov's continued engagement with international sports beyond his MMA retirement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov traded the octagon for the training pitch this week, visiting Real Madrid's facilities and making clear where his footballing allegiances firmly lie.
The retired UFC lightweight champion, who finished his professional MMA career with a perfect 29-0-0 record, attended a Real Madrid training session and reaffirmed his lifelong devotion to the Spanish giants. The 37-year-old Russian reflected on a childhood spent following football and expressed genuine amazement at now receiving invitations from elite clubs around the world. While he acknowledged visiting the stadiums and training centers of numerous top-tier sides during his post-fighting years, he was unequivocal on one point: Real Madrid remains, in his words, the club of his heart.
Nurmagomedov, who competed at lightweight and built his legendary status through an overwhelming grappling-based style — averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career — officially retired from MMA in October 2020 following his submission of Justin Gaethie. Since then, the Dagestani fighter, who trains out of Fightspirit Team, has remained a prominent figure in international sports circles, maintaining a global profile that has taken him across football's biggest institutions.
Why it matters
- Nurmagomedov continues to build a post-retirement public presence that extends well beyond MMA
- His visibility at elite football clubs reflects the crossover appeal he has developed as one of combat sports' most recognizable names
- The visit underscores how former champions are increasingly embraced by mainstream global sports organizations
