Azamat Bostanov recalls Khabib's kindness after UFC 223 title win

Azamat Bostanov, now a fighter manager, shared memories of being in Brooklyn for UFC 223 when Khabib Nurmagomedov won the lightweight championship eight years ago. Bostanov arrived the same day as the infamous Khabib-Artem Lobov confrontation and managed to interview Lobov, which created tension with manager Ali Abdel-Aziz who told him to stay away from the team. However, Khabib intervened positively, putting his arm around Bostanov and telling Abdel-Aziz he was just doing his job. Bostanov recalls 20-30 Dagestanis gathering at the hotel entrance ready to protect Khabib from potential Conor McGregor provocations. After the event, Khabib's hotel floor was packed with people, many of whom he didn't know, but he patiently greeted everyone, let Bostanov wear his championship belt for photos, and spoke to countless well-wishers on video calls despite being exhausted. Bostanov also revealed that Zabit Magomedsharipov broke two fingers during warm-ups but hid it from the athletic commission to avoid being pulled from his fight, which he won anyway.