Habib Nurmagomedov Welcomed Russian Media Despite Manager's Orders at UFC 223

Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, recalled his experience covering Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC 223 championship victory in Brooklyn eight years ago. Manager Ali Abdelaziz initially told Bostanov not to approach their team after he had interviewed Artem Lobov following the famous bus incident confrontation. However, Khabib overruled Abdelaziz, putting his arm around Bostanov and saying he was their guy just doing his job. Bostanov described a crowd of 20-30 Dagestanis gathering at the hotel entrance when word spread that Conor McGregor's team might arrive, ready to protect Khabib from provocations. After the fight, despite being exhausted, Khabib came out to take photos with media, draped his championship belt over Bostanov's shoulder, and spent time talking to everyone in his hotel room, even people he didn't know, answering video calls so their friends and relatives could congratulate him. Bostanov noted that in subsequent encounters over the years, including a chance meeting on the street in Moscow, Khabib remained the same friendly, approachable person willing to make time for conversation.