Khabib Nurmagomedov attended a training session at Real Madrid and publicly expressed his deep affection for the club. The retired UFC champion reflected on how he followed football since childhood and never imagined he would one day be invited by the world's top clubs. While noting that he has visited many stadiums and training centers of different clubs throughout his career, Nurmagomedov specifically declared that Real Madrid is "the club of my heart." This visit continues his well-documented relationship with elite football clubs.
Retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov visited Real Madrid's training facilities and made clear where his footballing loyalties lie, publicly describing the Spanish club as "the club of my heart."
Nurmagomedov, 37, walked away from mixed martial arts in October 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, one of the most celebrated careers in combat sports history. The Russian fighter, who competed out of Fightspirit Team and built his legacy in the UFC lightweight division, was known during his active years for a relentless grappling-based style that produced an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes. He remains undefeated and undisputed as the standard-bearer of that era at 155 pounds.
In remarks connected to the visit, Nurmagomedov reflected on a lifelong love of football that stretches back to childhood, noting that he never expected to one day receive invitations from elite clubs around the world. He acknowledged visiting stadiums and training grounds belonging to various clubs over the years but singled out Real Madrid as occupying a special place for him personally.
Why it matters
- Nurmagomedov remains one of the most globally recognizable figures to emerge from MMA, and his public affiliations draw wide attention beyond the sport.
- The visit reinforces the growing crossover between combat sports stars and top-tier football institutions.
- As a retired champion with no competitive obligations, his cultural and ambassadorial presence continues to keep him in the public conversation.
