Khabib Nurmagomedov’s love for sports goes far beyond MMA. Longtime fans of “The Eagle” know just how passionate he is about soccer, and ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final, the UFC Hall of Famer has revealed who he’s backing.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Reveals His Pick for the UEFA Champions League Final
This year’s UEFA Champions League Final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Milan takes place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. It’s a high-stakes clash: Inter looks to end a 15-year title drought, while PSG is still chasing its first-ever Champions League crown.
Among the many excited fans is none other than Nurmagomedov, who’s already touched down in Munich for the big match. The former UFC lightweight champion made his pick public via Instagram, resharing a Champions League graphic with the caption, “Let’s go tonight PSG.”
He doubled down on his PSG support when his longtime teammate, UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, shared a photo of him wearing a PSG shirt. Nurmagomedov quickly reposted the photo on his own Instagram Story.
What really surprised fans is that Nurmagomedov is widely known as a die-hard Real Madrid supporter. Still, he’s voiced admiration for PSG throughout this season, praising their playing style and staying engaged during their tournament run.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Focus After Retirement Remains on Coaching
“The Eagle” last competed at UFC 254 in 2020, where he submitted Justin Gaethje via triangle choke in the second round to defend his lightweight title for the third time. He announced his retirement immediately after, delivering an emotional message in the Octagon.
Khabib revealed he had promised his mother he wouldn’t fight again following the death of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He’s kept that promise, stepping away from competition — but not from MMA entirely.
Since retiring, Nurmagomedov has fully embraced a coaching role. He mentors his teammates and continues to build on the foundation laid by his father. He’s regularly seen in corners and training camps, especially with UFC talents from Dagestan.
Most recently, he cornered Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 311 in January at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. All three delivered strong performances, though Umar suffered his first career loss to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
This weekend, however, Nurmagomedov’s focus is squarely on football. And come Saturday night, the UFC icon will be in the stands cheering PSG on as they try to make club history.