Khabib welcomed journalist after manager Abdel-Aziz objected at UFC 223

Eight years ago at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, where Khabib Nurmagomedov became UFC champion, journalist Azamat Bostanov recalls being initially barred by manager Ali Abdel-Aziz from approaching the team after interviewing Artem Lobov following his confrontation with Khabib. However, Khabib intervened, putting his arm around Bostanov and telling Abdel-Aziz that he was their guy just doing his job. Bostanov also shared that 20-30 Dagestanis gathered at the hotel entrance ready to protect Khabib from potential provocations from Conor McGregor's team. After winning the title, despite being exhausted, Khabib took time to greet fans in the hotel, posed for photos, and spoke with everyone via video calls. Bostanov noted that Khabib remained the same approachable and kind person even after multiple title defenses, recalling how Khabib once stopped his car to greet him on the street a year after becoming champion.