From Friends to Enemies: How Khabib Angered Putin.

In 2019, Vladimir Putin congratulated UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov on his victory, but their relationship soured due to Khabib's silence during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Initially admired, Khabib faced backlash from both Russian authorities and his Dagestani supporters for not endorsing the war. The Russian government retaliated with financial penalties and asset seizures, forcing Khabib to relocate to the UAE. Despite maintaining a low profile, Khabib explored ways to reconcile with Russia and expressed anti-war sentiments privately, highlighting the complex dynamics between personal beliefs and political pressures.

• In 2019, Vladimir Putin met with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
• Putin congratulated Khabib on his victory over Dustin Poirier.
• Dana White claimed that Putin gifted Khabib real estate valued at over $20 million.
• At the time, there were no indications of future discord between Khabib and Putin.

"Putin congratulated Khabib on his convincing win over Dustin Poirier."

• Putin publicly acknowledged Khabib's success, indicating a positive relationship at the time.

• Years later, Khabib's relationship with Russia and Putin soured, leading to his departure from the country.
• Khabib's Instagram activity suggested he relocated to the UAE.
• He reportedly owed the Russian government a significant amount of money.
• Local TV presenters began mocking and insulting Khabib, a stark contrast to his previous admiration.

"Khabib ended up angering Putin which forced him to leave the country."

• Khabib's actions or statements led to a fallout with Russian authorities, necessitating his relocation.

• Residents of Dagestan, once viewing Khabib as a hero, turned against him.
• They accused him of betraying their trust and abandoning his roots.
• This shift in perception was due to a critical mistake on Khabib's part.

"Many residents of Dagestan who once saw him as a national hero turned against him."

• Khabib's actions led to a significant change in how he was perceived by his own community.

• The war began on February 24, 2022, with Russia invading Ukraine.
• Western countries attempted to deter Russia with sanctions and economic blockades, but these efforts were ineffective.
• The Russian government relied on propaganda to maintain support for the war.

"Russia invaded Ukraine, a neighboring country often called a brother nation."

• The invasion marked a significant geopolitical conflict, deeply affecting international relations and domestic policies.

• Celebrities and influencers became pivotal in shaping public opinion during the conflict.
• Many public figures supported the Russian government, claiming Ukraine's actions were Western tricks.
• The Russian government pressured public figures to support the war effort, threatening their careers if they did not comply.

"The only way for these public figures to survive in such conditions was to fully support the Russian army."

• Public figures faced coercion to align with government narratives, impacting their freedom of expression.

• The Russian government attempted to recruit Khabib as a war propagandist.
• Khabib refrained from making public statements, choosing to keep his opinions private.

"Khabib wasn't in a rush to make a statement and kept his opinion to himself."

• Khabib's silence on the matter highlighted his reluctance to be used as a political tool.

• By September 2022, the war's momentum had shifted, requiring strategic military actions.
• Russia initiated partial mobilization, heavily impacting Dagestan.
• The mobilization in Dagestan was effectively general, despite being labeled as partial.

"The mobilization wasn't partial but general, at least in Dagestan."

• The mobilization efforts in Dagestan were more extensive than officially acknowledged, affecting the local population significantly.

• Men in Dagestan were sent to war without considering who was needed most, leading to widespread protests.
• Women were the primary participants in protests, with slogans opposing the war and mobilization.
• Demonstrations occurred near the Puppet Theater, resulting in police arrests.
• The local government was unresponsive, and Moscow claimed mobilization was proceeding as planned.
• Protesters faced forceful suppression by local police.

"The protesters chanted no to war, no to mobilization, and our children are not fertilizer when a few hundred demonstrators gathered near the Puppet Theater."

• Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to the war and mobilization, emphasizing the value of their children.

• Khabib Nurmagomedov, a UFC champion, is regarded as a local hero with strong opinions on various issues.
• He has publicly criticized Russian pop concerts and French President Emmanuel Macron.
• Despite his vocal nature, Khabib remained silent during the Dagestan protests, posting about personal activities on Instagram.
• People from Dagestan sought his support, expressing disappointment at his silence.

"Kabib, you've had the support of the people of Dagestan for a long time. It's time to stand up for them too."

• Dagestani people expected Khabib to defend their cause due to his previous outspoken nature and local hero status.

• Khabib faced pressure from the Putin government to support the war and mobilization.
• His endorsement was seen as a potential means to calm Dagestani citizens and boost morale.
• Reports indicated Khabib received calls from high-ranking officials but chose to ignore them.

"It's been reported that Nurmagomedov received personal phone calls from Anton Vino, head of the presidential Administration, and his first Deputy Sergey Kenko, but the athlete ignored them."

• Khabib's refusal to engage with government officials highlighted his internal conflict and pressure from both sides.

• Khabib's silence led to a loss of confidence among Dagestani people and religious groups.
• Russian propagandists criticized him for not supporting the war, accusing him of disrespecting national politics.
• As a result of his silence, Khabib faced financial repercussions, including significant tax claims.

"Russian propagandists and talk show hosts started openly criticizing the UFC champion for not supporting the war."

• Khabib's inaction resulted in public backlash and financial penalties, reflecting the complex political pressures he faced.

• Khabib Nurmagomedov faced significant legal and financial challenges in Russia, leading to the seizure of his assets.
• Authorities confiscated property worth 79 million Rubles, including his family home in Dagestan and a fleet of expensive cars.
• The official reason for these actions was unpaid taxes on income from abroad, but there are suggestions that it was a punitive measure for disobedience.

"Sheriffs have seized Nurmagomedov's assets including property worth 79 million Rubles. The authorities also seized the Fighter's family home in Dagestan and his fleet of expensive cars."

• This quote highlights the extent of the legal actions taken against Khabib, indicating the serious nature of his financial troubles in Russia.

• Khabib, once a supporter of Putin, fell out of favor with the Russian government, becoming a persona non-grata.
• His businesses in Russia were forced to shut down, marking a significant fall from grace.
• The situation suggests a broader issue of crime and corruption in Russia, where the government can target those who disobey.

"Once a friend and supporter of Putin is no longer in favor with the government. It's like he's a Persona non-grata and he's now being hunted down."

• This quote underscores the political shift and the severe consequences Khabib faced due to his changed relationship with the Russian government.

• Khabib moved to the United Arab Emirates for safety and continued to be respected as a hero there.
• The UAE's cultural and religious alignment with Khabib's values, along with his connections, facilitated his quick integration.
• He launched new business ventures, including a chain of Kebab shops in Kazakhstan, indicating his efforts to establish a life outside Russia.

"Khabib realized it wasn't safe for him to stay in his home country, so he moved to the United Arab Emirates where he's still respected as a hero."

• This quote illustrates Khabib's strategic relocation to a country that aligns with his values and offers him safety and respect.

• Despite his successful relocation, Khabib faced emotional challenges, missing his homeland and family.
• The Eastern cultural emphasis on family likely made the separation difficult for him.

"The Eastern culture is all about family, so we can assume he was really missing his homeland and loved ones."

• This quote highlights the personal and emotional struggles Khabib faced due to his separation from his family and homeland.

• Years later, Khabib sought ways to return to Russia, leveraging his connections to reestablish relations.
• He negotiated a reduced debt repayment, which facilitated his smoother return to Russia.
• The resolution of his issues allowed him to freely travel to his hometown and country.

"Khabib managed to find a way to reestablish relations with Russia. He agreed to repay the debt to the state, paying 79.3 million Rubles instead of the original 302 million Rubles."

• This quote demonstrates Khabib's successful negotiation and strategic efforts to reconcile his standing with the Russian government, leading to a resolution of his legal issues.

• Khabib Nurmagomedov, although silent publicly, is deeply troubled by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
• He approached the issue indirectly by speaking with Donald Trump during a UFC tournament in the US, highlighting the importance of stopping the war and the killing.

"Khabib came up to me after the fight the other night and he said to me, 'Oh, I hope you can get in because we have to stop the wars. We have to stop the killing.'"

• Khabib expressed his desire for peace and the cessation of violence, indicating his understanding of the situation's gravity.

• During a conversation with Donald Trump, Khabib emphasized the need to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
• Trump, a fan of Khabib, mentioned that he would aim to stop the war if he were elected president.

"I think I'd have that war stopped if I was president-elect right after the election. If I win, I will get that war stopped. I'll get it stopped fast before I get to office if it's not stopped before then."

• Trump's statement reflects his confidence in being able to address and potentially resolve the conflict swiftly if given the opportunity.

• Khabib has strong ties to Ukraine, which might influence his reluctance to publicly support Russia in the conflict.
• His father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, had a history in Ukraine, having studied there and developed an interest in Judo.

"Khabib has strong ties to Ukraine and may even have claimed Ukrainian citizenship."

• The close connection with Ukraine, including family ties and personal history, makes Khabib's position on the conflict complex and sensitive.

• Khabib's silence on the issue might be due to fear of repercussions, both personally and for his loved ones.
• The narrative suggests that not taking a stand can lead to being perceived as an enemy by all sides involved.

"Silence doesn't show your true position; it just shows that you're afraid of not being accepted."

• The quote highlights the potential consequences of remaining silent, emphasizing the importance of taking a stand to show true beliefs and values.

• The transcript draws a parallel between Khabib's situation and that of Muhammad Ali, who was vocal against wars and inspired many.
• Ali's stance led to a severing of ties with influential figures but gained him support from anti-war activists.

"Muhammad Ali was unafraid to speak out against wars and explained that no nation had done him harm."

• This historical reference illustrates the potential impact of taking a clear stance, suggesting that Khabib's openness could have similarly inspired others.