Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most renowned personalities in the world. He is the former UFC lightweight champion and is one of the most respected fighters in MMA.

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Khabib has amassed over 30 million followers on Instagram, making him the most followed Russian on the platform. However, Khabib, in a recent interview, revealed that it is difficult to be famous.

Nurmagomedov, in the interview, said, “Being famous is not an easy thing; it is a very, very hard thing. Before, when I was young, when I was hungry, I didn’t realize this. But now I understand this. Even here in England, I was yesterday in Birmingham, Manchester, London, like everywhere. It’s very hard to even go outside, like, just be like a regular person. I think this is a more dangerous thing than money, like being famous.”

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Everyone has always looked at Khabib as someone humble who refrains from being flamboyant. Khabib had once said that he only required bread and water and nothing else. But in the recent interview, he said. “I hope maybe I changed a little bit. Sometimes good life catches you. In my mind, I think the same because I come out from my village, but the village stays inside me. I cannot take it out of my [heart]. Sometimes I like good food; I like eating everything.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov – Life after retirement

‘The Eagle’ had one of the most successful MMA careers in the sport’s history. Nurmagomedov remained undefeated throughout his career and retired with a 29-0 record. That is still the longest win streak in MMA.

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Khabib, after his father passed away, defended his UFC lightweight title one last time against the then interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. They both met at UFC 254, and Khabib won the fight via submission in the second round. Subsequently, he announced his retirement.

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Ever since his retirement as a fighter, Nurmagomedov has gotten into coaching. He has been working with many fighters, including Islam Makhachev. ‘The Eagle’, in an interview with ESPN, even said that Makhachev is going to run the UFC’s lightweight division.

WATCH THIS STORY – Khabib Nurmagomedov Net Worth: Biggest Cash Grabs of The Eagle In and Out of the UFC

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Not just that, Khabib is also the owner and promoter of a Russian-based MMA promotion called Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) fka- Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC). EFC works as a stepping stone for fighters to get a UFC contract and is aired on UFC Fight Pass.

It is for everyone to see that Khabib has kept busy since his retirement. What do you think about his comments on being famous? Let us know your thoughts!

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Arunaditya Aima

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Arunaditya Aima is an editor at EssentiallySports, where he works to bring clarity and depth to sports storytelling through the pieces he edits. With a Master’s degree in Sports Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in the field, he combines newsroom discipline with a deep-rooted passion for sports. During his time at EssentiallySports, Arunaditya has taken on multiple roles across the editorial pipeline. He began as a writer covering Ultimate Fighting Championship before transitioning into editorial responsibilities, including serving as the primary editor for National Basketball Association coverage. His experience across writing and editing allows him to approach stories from both a narrative and structural perspective. Before his editorial work in digital sports media, Arunaditya worked as a producer at Firstpost under the Network18 Group umbrella, gaining experience in newsroom production and broadcast-oriented storytelling. Across roles, he focuses on refining sports coverage through strong editorial judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to presenting the game in ways that resonate with readers.

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