UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov left the UAE with more than the lightweight title belt.
After an impressive victory at UFC 242, the 30-year-old fighter was awarded a Dubai Star. The Eagle (as he's nicknamed) was handed the plaque in an exclusive ceremony at The Dubai Mall.
Lucky fans in attendance were able to cheer on the fighter and grab photos with him at the event.
His star will be on the Dubai Walk of Fame decorating Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard when it is officially unveiled in October this year. Nurmagomedov is in good company alongside Shilpa Shetty, Amr Diab and Serena Williams, three of the high-profile names to have already been announced.
Last week, Nurmagomedov also met Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
In pictures shared on the crown prince's Instagram account, Sheikh Hamdan is seen embracing Nurmagomedov and posing with the championship belt.
Scroll through our gallery of their meeting:
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed with UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. -
Sheikh Hamdan holds up the UFC championship belt, which Khabib Nurmagomedov won in Abu Dhabi after beating Dustin Poirier in 2019. -
Shiekh Hamdan embraces UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov upon arrival with his entourage to visit the crown prince of Dubai. -
Sheikh Hamdan holding the UFC Championship belt alongside Abdulmanap, father Khabib.
Earlier in the same week, on September 9, Nurmagomedov visited Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at a Sea Palace barza.
Scroll through our gallery of their meeting:
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, receives Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC Lightweight Champion and winner of UFC 242 Abu Dhabi, during a Sea Palace barza. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC Lightweight Champion, during a Sea Palace barza. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs ) -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stands for a photo with Khabib Nurmagomedov during a Sea Palace barza. Seen holding a traditional 'Papakha' hat, a gift from Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed greets the father of Khabib Nurmagomedov during a Sea Palace barza. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed (2nd L), greets Khabib Nurmagomedov during a Sea Palace barza. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Nurmagomedov forced Dustin Poirier to submit in the main event title unification bout at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, September 7. The win brings his unblemished professional Mixed Martial Arts record to 28-0. The event brought close to 14,000 fans to The Arena.
When asked how he felt about fighting in the capital, he was quick to praise Abu Dhabi and his fans.
“I love this region. I’ve been in Turkey, Europe, Russia, even Dagestan, US, Brazil, Canada, Mexico. I’ve been everywhere. But this place — Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Dubai – is the safest place in the world. This is an amazing place," he said after his bout.
“Of course, I want to fight here. I have very good energy here. I love these people; these people love me. And I hope they liked my performance and they enjoyed the whole event."
