Manager recalls Khabib's hospitality after UFC 223 title win eight years ago

Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, shared memories from Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC 223 championship victory in Brooklyn eight years ago. Bostanov recounted how manager Ali Abdel-Aziz initially told him to stay away from their team after he interviewed Artem Lobov following the famous confrontation, but Khabib intervened saying he was their guy just doing his job. He described 20-30 Dagestanis gathering at the hotel ready to protect Khabib from potential Conor McGregor provocations. After the victory, Khabib's hotel floor was packed with well-wishers, many of whom he didn't know, but he took time to greet everyone and pose for photos despite being exhausted. Bostanov also recalled Zabit Magomedsharipov fighting with two broken fingers at that event without telling the athletic commission, and a chance encounter with Khabib a year later when the champion stopped his car to offer him a ride.