UFC Reminds Fans About 26% Russian Adults Backing Khabib Nurmagomedov Against Dustin Poirier 

UFC insider talks about Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 being a huge hit in Russia.

UFC Reminds Fans About 26% Russian Adults Backing Khabib Nurmagomedov Against Dustin Poirier 

Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Dustin Poirier (via X)

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Khabib Nurmagomedov remains one of the most popular MMA figures globally, admired for his dominance and national pride in Russia. ‘The Eagle’ retired undefeated with an impressive 29-0 record, stepping away from the sport after his father’s unfortunate passing. During his reign, Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title three times, including a memorable victory over UFC legend Dustin Poirier.

Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier headlined UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, attracting massive global attention from fans. The Dagestani champion showcased complete dominance throughout the contest, eventually securing a third-round submission victory to defend his lightweight title. In a recent interview, RJ Clifford highlighted how immensely popular Nurmagomedov was across Russia during his prime.

Roughly 26 million people, 24 percent of adults in Russia turned in to watch Khabib’s title fight. On Channel One Russia, it was free in Russia. One quarter of the adult population in Russia. I don’t really think we grasp what a star Khabib was. It was crazy how Khabib became a household name in North America, he was 10 times that in Russia.

RJ Clifford via UFC 

Nurmagomedov put Dagestan on the global map, proudly representing his region through his dominance and discipline. His performances inside the Octagon were unlike anything seen before, overwhelming every opponent with his wrestling-based fighting style. In a brutal sport where bloodshed is common, Nurmagomedov never bled and made world-class fighters look completely amateur.

Against Poirier, Khabib Nurmagomedov faced a dangerous moment when ‘The Diamond’ locked in a tight guillotine choke. Showing incredible composure, Nurmagomedov survived the scare, later revealing that he would have never tapped in front of his father. After the bout, both fighters displayed mutual respect and sportsmanship, building a lasting bond admired by fans worldwide.

UFC 242 was a major success, generating roughly $50 million in total revenue. By that time, Khabib Nurmagomedov was already a global superstar with an enormous following, especially across Russia. His fame and recognition skyrocketed before that with his victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229, the sport’s biggest-ever event financially.

Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dana White was the main orchestrator of UFC 229 

The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov began in 2018, leading to their historic clash at UFC 229. Everything escalated when McGregor attacked a bus carrying Nurmagomedov with a dolly during UFC 223 fight week, injuring several fighters. Their animosity only grew, with intense press conferences and trash talk hyping up their lightweight title fight for months. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov face-to-face with Conor McGregor
Khabib Nurmagomedov face-to-face with Conor McGregor (via X)

When the fight finally happened, the ‘Eagle’ overwhelmed McGregor and submitted him with a neck crank in the fourth round. Immediately after winning, Nurmagomedov jumped over the cage to confront McGregor’s team, igniting a massive post-fight brawl. 

Both fighters were fined by the NSAC; Nurmagomedov was fined $500,000, and McGregor received a $50,000 penalty for their actions. In a recent interview, Nurmagomedov claimed UFC CEO Dana White was the mastermind behind all that drama to maximize publicity. 

It was Dana White who built that fight up. It was all Dana’s doing. I even told him he did a good job. ‘Good job, Dana.’ Not just him. Hunter alone wouldn’t have been enough. They were all involved.

Khabib Nurmagomedov via Hustle Show

Before the fight, ‘Mystic Mac’ was already one of the world’s most famous athletes and UFC’s biggest mainstream draw. McGregor often claimed that by fighting him, he made Nurmagomedov globally relevant and turned him into a recognizable name.

However, many argue that the ‘Eagle’ was already a superstar across Russia, Dagestan, and the Middle East. The rivalry between the two fighters remains intense to this day, with each frequently delivering scathing comments across social media platforms.

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