Khabib Nurmagomedov 'a little bit scared' by UFC title fame: 'I don't want to change'

[KazDibiase]

Khabib Nurmagomedov received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Russia following his title-winning victory in this past Saturday’s UFC 223 main event. It was an outpour of support that “The Eagle” knows is going to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Although he hasn’t reached superstar status stateside, Nurmagomedov (26-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) has a massive following in his home country. He became the first UFC champion from Dagestan when he defeated Al Iaquinta (13-4-1 MMA, 8-3 UFC) by unanimous decision in UFC 223’s pay-per-view headliner in Brooklyn, N.Y., and with that is going to bring even more notoriety (via Instagram):



Nurmagomedov said it’s important to remain humble going forward. However, the 29-year-old said it’s not going to be easy. Nurmagomedov said he doesn’t want the uptick in attention to pull him off course.

“With the belt comes a lot of attention, a lot of money – crazy stuff, a lot of crazy stuff,” Nurmagomedov said after UFC 223. “I don’t want this belt to change me. I want to stay focused. Next month is Ramadan coming. After Ramadan I want to begin training, come back this year and defend this title.

“I’m a little bit worried about this belt. Sometime you think, ‘You’re UFC champion (and) a lot of stuff.’ But I’m a little bit scared about this. I don’t want to change. I want to be same Khabib, like, before belt and after the belt. This is not about me. This is about all people around me.”


http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/khabib-nurmagomedov-scared-ufc-title-fame-dont-change-ufc-223-mma/amp

 

[Rav7n]

he will change..from here on in its all bitches lambo's and fancy gucci prayer mats.

 

[AimedWithV]

Khabib Nurmagomedov received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Russia following his title-winning victory in this past Saturday’s UFC 223 main event. It was an outpour of support that “The Eagle” knows is going to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Although he hasn’t reached superstar status stateside, Nurmagomedov (26-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) has a massive following in his home country. He became the first UFC champion from Dagestan when he defeated Al Iaquinta (13-4-1 MMA, 8-3 UFC) by unanimous decision in UFC 223’s pay-per-view headliner in Brooklyn, N.Y., and with that is going to bring even more notoriety (via Instagram):



Nurmagomedov said it’s important to remain humble going forward. However, the 29-year-old said it’s not going to be easy. Nurmagomedov said he doesn’t want the uptick in attention to pull him off course.

“With the belt comes a lot of attention, a lot of money – crazy stuff, a lot of crazy stuff,” Nurmagomedov said after UFC 223. “I don’t want this belt to change me. I want to stay focused. Next month is Ramadan coming. After Ramadan I want to begin training, come back this year and defend this title.

“I’m a little bit worried about this belt. Sometime you think, ‘You’re UFC champion (and) a lot of stuff.’ But I’m a little bit scared about this. I don’t want to change. I want to be same Khabib, like, before belt and after the belt. This is not about me. This is about all people around me.”


http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/khabib-nurmagomedov-scared-ufc-title-fame-dont-change-ufc-223-mma/amp

How dare he be sincere and humble? Where's the character? Put the mask on, quickly! Otherwise shertards will call you boring ans pu$$y

 

[Bumblebeef]

hes the champion but he is the real champion when he beats tony.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Nahhh he's way too religious and still lives in fear of his dad.

 

[Poirierfan]

Love this guy, true definition of a man and a gentleman, like his sense of humor too.

 

[Hotora86]

Khabib Nurmagomedov received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Russia following his title-winning victory in this past Saturday’s UFC 223 main event. It was an outpour of support that “The Eagle” knows is going to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Although he hasn’t reached superstar status stateside, Nurmagomedov (26-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) has a massive following in his home country. He became the first UFC champion from Dagestan when he defeated Al Iaquinta (13-4-1 MMA, 8-3 UFC) by unanimous decision in UFC 223’s pay-per-view headliner in Brooklyn, N.Y., and with that is going to bring even more notoriety (via Instagram):



Nurmagomedov said it’s important to remain humble going forward. However, the 29-year-old said it’s not going to be easy. Nurmagomedov said he doesn’t want the uptick in attention to pull him off course.

“With the belt comes a lot of attention, a lot of money – crazy stuff, a lot of crazy stuff,” Nurmagomedov said after UFC 223. “I don’t want this belt to change me. I want to stay focused. Next month is Ramadan coming. After Ramadan I want to begin training, come back this year and defend this title.

“I’m a little bit worried about this belt. Sometime you think, ‘You’re UFC champion (and) a lot of stuff.’ But I’m a little bit scared about this. I don’t want to change. I want to be same Khabib, like, before belt and after the belt. This is not about me. This is about all people around me.”


http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/khabib-nurmagomedov-scared-ufc-title-fame-dont-change-ufc-223-mma/amp

What I found more interesting is that Khabib mentions that he was tense in the Al fight and couldn't go 100% because he wanted to play it safe.

 

[NoAbsolutes]

I have a feeling that Khabib will be able to convert all of this pressure into motivation like GSP often discussed. Hope he stays healthy because I’ll buy every PPV he’s on.

 

[TDD]

He is not just the first UFC Champion from Dagestan also the Caucasus and the first muslim UFC Champion, all of the Russians might not back him but people will also get behind him for having the same religion and being the first in the Asian muslim part and might even beyond, he seems humble but its easy to get caught up in all the bullshit, thats why its good that he wants to stay in his home surrounded by his family and friends.

 

[loisestrad]

What a pussy - affraid of change.

 

[Lemonsqueezer]

Love this guy, true definition of a man and a gentleman, like his sense of humor too.

He can be funny, but only because of his accent and broken English - take that away and he reall yisn't that funny.

And as far as gentleman, well that's obsurd.

 

[Sirwastealot]

What a pussy - affraid of change.

Too scared to embrace the dark side. He has a lot to learn.

 

[Franc Mittelo]

At least he has the insight and self-awareness to realize the social burden of being an even bigger celebrity. He will change, but most likely for the better.

 

[GBJohn]

The fact that it scares him is probably a good sign, if he doesn't want to let it change him.

 

[Sirwastealot]

He can be funny, but only because of his accent and broken English - take that away and he reall yisn't that funny.

I disagree.

 

[WhiteMousse]

He won't be champion long enough for that to happen

 

[oldschoolmmafan]

поздравления Khabib.

 

[octagon888]

Paperweight belt means nothing til Conor / Ferg defense.

 

[thobra]

I think it gets to everyone eventually.

In 07/08 Fedor was really starting to be a big star, playing in movies, one of the most famous sports personalities in russia, and icon and a world champion mma hw and sambo practitioner. I think it finally got to his head.

Suddenly he started to look like a brawler in mma, only headhunting, abandoning his ground game, and at the same time lost ( and was dominated in) his first Sambo match after going 8 years undefeated.

Lets hope Khabib can stay humble... but I think it is impossible.

 

[leto1776]

Dude called out GSP. He's already changed.