Sexism storm over Khabib Nurmagomedov's 'disgusting' comments
UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov has found himself in hot water after a sexist response during a Q&A session in Saudi Arabia.
The lightweight champion, who defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October, was responding to a question from a woman in the crowd when the controversial comments took place.
The woman asked the Russian-born Dagastani fighter his views on what aspiring female fighters could do to advance their MMA careers.
Khabib revealed his controversial beliefs in his short response.
“For females, I have very good advice, be fighter inside your home,” the 30-year-old said.
“And one more advice, all the time, finish your husband. Smash him really bad.”
The Russian superstar’s comments drew laughter and support from the crowd, however as video leaked across the internet, the response was not so warm.
Many viewers shared their disgust at the backwards comments on social media, while others defended the champion fighter’s right to have such beliefs.
Khabib is a clown. He ain’t keeping anyone in the kitchen
— 🏳️🌈 (@iillllii__) December 6, 2018
Wow. Cant say I'm surprised but damn. Getting harder to like this guy
— Bill Kimber (@billckimber) December 6, 2018
Disgusting
— Jean Pierre (@jptran14) December 6, 2018
Talk about sexism WOW how disrespectful is Khabib Nurmagomedov #UFC pic.twitter.com/77YE5YrNxF
— David Allen (@david_allen98) December 6, 2018
His honest beliefs. This was not a joke.
— Jerry Copeland (@copelander06) December 6, 2018
He’s Muslim and they are educated that way. That was no joke.
It may look very bad what he said to the eyes of the modern world but in his mind and heart he truly believes that’s the way the cookie crumbles.— MOYA'S MUSIC (@mariomoya74) December 6, 2018
Different culture and audience. He knows his audience well. We can’t all be the same I. Our views. Get over it. He was laughing the whole time and so what. We were all raised in different worlds. Can’t change it, let it go
— Theresa (@theresakelly76) December 6, 2018
Khabib, a devout Muslim, was sharing his thoughts during a speaking tour which will take him all the way to Australia, where he will take to the stage in Melbourne in January.
The undefeated fighter thanked fans in Saudi Arabia in an Instagram post.
A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Dec 3, 2018 at 2:28am PST
Khabib, who still has some of this UFC 229 purse withheld, is currently weighing up his next bout and could follow McGregor’s path and pursue a mega-money boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, although the American is preparing to face Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa on New Year’s Eve.
It is believed that he wants to stay in UFC and could take on 34-year-old American Tony Ferguson in 2019, but for now he is continuing a world tour that will take him to Australia in the New Year.
McGregor and Khabib cannot announce their next fight until their Nevada State Athletic Commission case has concluded. The pair are being investigated for the violent scenes following their recent fight and a hearing is scheduled for 10 December in Las Vegas.
UFC president Dana White said a one-year suspension for Khabib will be “unfair” but admits the commission “has to send a message” following the brawl.
With The Telegraph