If you’re on Twitter or most popular media you probably heard of Khabib Nurmagomedov, he is a mixed martial artist fighter that currently fights for the UFC. Khabib made the headlines in 2018 at UFC 229 when he defeated the very popular infamous Connor McGregor. Fighting out of Ireland McGregor was known for his “trash talking” and eccentric personality. There was a lot of drama prior to the fight with McGregor attacking Khabib’s bus with a dolly, insulting Khabib’s father and wife, making racist crude remarks about Islam and taunting Khabib with alcohol. The result was Khabib who remained respectful, and inline with Islamic etiquette defeated McGregor in the cage.
Khabib was popular among Muslim fans prior to this victory but many credit this extremely hyped up fight and Khabib’s behaviour to be the turning point for his career. Khabib fighting out of Dagestan, Russia is a devout Muslim and does not shy away from his religion in the cage and in interviews. He has at multiple times avoided shaking hands with women, gone to prostration (sajda) when he wins a fight, and starts his post-fight interviews with “All praises are due to God”(AlhamduliAllah); besides other things such as demeanor and reference to God in his interviews and speeches. Khabib is actively seeing as praying 5 times a day on his Instagram, has shown respect and dedication to his religion and has immense respect for his parents and his wife.
At this point for many Muslims these are just standard things we do in our daily lives, Khabib being pictured praying is not something to glorify because any practicing Muslim should be praying, or going into prostration when successful or receiving good news. These are not extraordinary things that one would expect from a practicing Muslim.
I would argue that Khabib and his team set an excellent precedent for young Muslims in professional sport. This is beside the point that fighting sports are not encouraged or supported by Hadith and the Quran.
As narrated by Abu Hurayrah: “When any one of you fights, let him avoid (striking) the face.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 5/215).
Khabib sets an excellent example for Muslims who have aspirations in both professional sports and a life that involves fame. Just this week Khabib had another fight, this time in Abu Dhabi at UFC 242 Khabib again proved to the world that he is one of the best fighters to ever fight in the Lightweight division boasting a perfect record of 28 wins to 0 losses in 10 years.
Khabib proved to the world not only that he is one of the best but he also proved that your religion, your beliefs and your background does not prevent you from reaching any goal. Khabib proved that you do not need to sacrifice or give way to things over your religion and beliefs. Khabib does not drink, he does not attend after-parties and celebrations that involve things not-permissible in Islam, Khabib does not take part in the insulting and trash talking that has become a core of UFC pre-fight hyping, and most importantly Khabib is not afraid of representing himself as a Muslim.
I think Khabib has set a precedent for other fighters to be confident in themselves as Muslims, and at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi we really saw a different UFC. This UFC saw a largely Muslim roster with Khabib’s younger cousin Islam Makhachev, his sparring partner Ottman Azaitar, and the Palestinian fan favorite Belal “Remember the name” Muhammad. What really impressed me about all of the fighters I just mentioned they were all unapologetically Muslim. Belal Muhammad started his post-fight speech yelling “takbeer”and the crowded responded with “Allahu Akbar.” As a Muslim who has watched the UFC for the past 5 years it was a different experience to see people who I can identify with as fellow Muslims representing Islam without fear of being labelled or singled out.
Khabib’s training camp in American Kickboxing Academy, and the documentary/vlog productions that were posted showing the daily life of the team, and Khabib was also an experience that I could really relate with personally. I felt that confidence personally, and how well the Muslims and non-Muslims got along together in the same gym. The messages that were presented were all of a new era in sports that really reminded me of the days of Muhammad Ali. I think a lot of internal critics who don’t like seeing someone glorified beyond what is given should take the time to watch these videos and try to understand Khabib as someone who represents a new era of Muslims who are active, successful and champs in professional sports.
The trailer for the mini-series is in the link below & the entire series can be watched on Youtube via the Anatomy of a Fighter channel.
Bayt Al-Hikma 