Khabib Nurmagomedov’s thoughts on women’s MMA haven’t modified in retirement.
The previous UFC lightweight champion made it clear he’s not a fan of female fighting throughout his profession.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, who’s a devout Muslim, explained his stance during a recent press conference held by the Sun Hills Development real estate company in Phuket, Thailand.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov knows his WMMA views are controversial
One lady in the gang asked Khabib Nurmagomedov to clarify his thoughts on the rise of ladies’s MMA.
The 29-0 UFC legend gave a lengthy response that he knew was prone to land him in hot water.
Now people will criticize me again and so forth. But look, probably the most precious thing on our body is our face, right? Day by day all of us look within the mirror and wish to look good. Men possibly once, but when women have a mirror with them, they give the impression of being 1,000 times a day. No less than 100,” Nurmagomedov said.
“How do you personally feel once you go to the gym and get hit within the face? You haven’t been hit. But you don’t need that. But there are women who select this sport. It’s their alternative. They selected it. In the event you ask me, I wouldn’t select this sport for ladies. It’s brutal even for men, to begin with. For girls it’s… I don’t even consider it.
“In the event that they want to come back to the gym and train to give you the chance to defend themselves, there are women who think they’ll come, train, and if someone attacks them, they’ll defend themselves. Well, there are such women. Allow them to go and train, no problem.
“But for me, it’s still something wild when a girl gets hit within the face. Whether it’s a person hitting or a girl hitting a girl. Especially if a girl is a mother, or has a pair of youngsters. She spends the entire day getting hit within the face after which comes home. Where I grew up, I didn’t see anything like that.
“All and sundry in life has a mission. For a person, it’s to boost children, care for the family, care for family members, neighbors, relatives. There are only a few women who tackle big responsibilities. It’s very hard for them. It’s not without reason. Even God created it this fashion. A lady is weaker, a person is stronger.
“People want to vary and blend all of this. I don’t understand how you’re feeling about it, but I like when a person does men’s work, and a girl does women’s work. You’re not kids. Determine for yourselves.”
Women’s MMA is larger than ever
Khabib Nurmagomedov may not prefer it, but the most important fight of 2026 is between two women.
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will end their respective retirements once they clash on May 16.
The WMMA icons are set to headline a card featuring male superstars Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou.
Later this yr, Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison are expected to fulfill for the UFC bantamweight title.
Thankfully, Nurmagomedov’s views on women in MMA are usually not widely held, and feminine fighters proceed to flourish.