Sheikh Hamdan meets UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Dubai

'It was good to see you after training my friend' says undefeated Dagestani

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Instagram/ khabib_nurmagomedov
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, met with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during the latter’s recent stay in the emirate.

On Saturday, Nurmagomedov posted a picture on his Instagram account alongside the crown prince, together with the caption: “It was good to see you after training my friend”.

Nurmagomedov, 32, announced his retirement from the UFC in October, immediately following his successful title defence against then-interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi.

Although a return to the octagon has since been teased, the undefeated Dagestani appears committed to his decision. Nurmagomedov, whose professional record stands at 29-0, has been acting as trainer and coach to a number of his teammates, including cousin Umar Nurmagomedov, who won on UFC debut last month. That bout also took place in Abu Dhabi, during a third Fight Island series in the capital.

Nurmagomedov is a regular visitor to the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai, with the facility serving most recently as his training base in the build-up to the unification bout with Gaethje.

Earlier this month, Nurmagomedov attended the Uefa Champions League match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and left the Camp Nou with a signed shirt from hat-trick scorer Kylian Mbappe.

Khabib's last defence in Abu Dhabi