Rabat – Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has said that his public support for Palestine has cost him sponsorship agreements, insisting that the financial consequences are insignificant compared with the loss of human life.
In a video clip shared by online streamer Sneako and widely circulated by MMA outlets over the weekend, Khabib said that some companies are unwilling to work with athletes who publicly address the situation in Palestine.
“For example, I am a famous athlete. Can you imagine, when you post about them, you lose contracts, you lose sponsorships,” Khabib said.
“Many, many sponsors, they don’t want to work with some athletes who support Palestine. Not even support, just say something, they cancel contracts.”
The 37-year-old indicated that he was not the only fighter in his circle to experience financial repercussions, naming Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov.
“You think it doesn’t happen with me, or it doesn’t happen with Islam or Usman? It’s happened with us. We lost money too,” he said. “But money compared to lives is nothing.”
Nurmagomedov did not identify the companies he said had terminated or declined sponsorship agreements, nor did he disclose the value of the contracts. The claims have therefore not been independently verified.
Khabib urges athletes not to remain silent
Khabib also argued that athletes and other public figures have a responsibility to use their audiences to draw attention to humanitarian suffering, even when they cannot directly change events.
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He said his large social media following gives him a responsibility to at least share information and encouraged others not to remain silent.
The Dagestani former fighter has repeatedly expressed support for Palestinians through public appearances and social media.
He has also spoken about his ambition to establish a sports facility and school for Palestinians.
In earlier remarks, Nurmagomedov said one of his dreams was to open a “Khabib gym” and bring experienced coaches to train young athletes, expressing hope that they could eventually represent their country internationally.
Khabib retired from professional mixed martial arts with an undefeated 29-0 record after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020.
He left the sport as UFC lightweight champion after three successful title defenses and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
Since ending his fighting career, he has remained closely involved in mixed martial arts through coaching and mentoring fighters from his Dagestani team, including Makhachev.
UFC has continued to recognize Nurmagomedov’s role as a coach within the group.
