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Khabib Nurmagomedov Finally Addresses Controversial Ring Girl Comments

Khabib Nurmagomedov Finally Addresses Controversial Ring Girl Comments

"I know all the time I say a lot of strange things, too. But I don’t care. This is my opinion.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Khabib Nurmagomedov has doubled down on his controversial ring girl comments he made a few months back.

The former UFC lightweight champion was on the receiving end of some pretty heavy backlash after claiming "ring girls are the most useless people in martial arts".

UFC octagon girl Arianny Celeste.
PA

MMA great Khabib subsequently landed himself in hot water for these remarks, with some fans turning on him and labelling the Dagestani "sexist".

It seemed like Khabib was under fire from all angles following his comments as former fighters and even the ring girls themselves spoke out against him, slamming him for his beliefs.

Elsewhere, some threw their support behind Khabib, including the UFC's first female commentator Laura Sanko and current champion Valentina Shevchenko.

Now, after taking a backseat for much of the backlash, the retired legend has finally decided to address the topic but is sticking firmly to his guns.

"A couple of months ago, someone ask me about... I have a promotion. I have my own promotion Eagle Fighting Championship and someone ask about why there's no ring girls there. I say because I think there's no reason. It's my opinion," Khabib said.

"Some people don't agree with this, but who cares? I don't care, because I have my opinion. Because this is my promotion and I make decision. Not Dana or not other people, you know?

"Dana can do whatever he wants. I'm gonna do whatever I want. Sometime, he do something, like, I don't understand him, too. But I never judge him. This is his decision because his name is Dana White. My name is Khabib.

"I never watch what people think about it. If I have opinion, I just say it. That's it."

PA

Inside the octagon, Khabib's talent is unquestionable.

But it's his personality outside of the cage where some MMA fans seem to have taken a liking to him.

The 33-year-old has never shied away from giving his opinion on things, but understand his beliefs can often spark debate.

"Always, I try to be myself," he added.

"I know I can say lotta things, lotta good things. And people gonna like this. But I never think, 'Oh, maybe people gonna like this or no?' I know all the time I say a lot of strange things, too. But I don't care. This is my opinion.

"I'm born with this, I grew up with this, and I have straight my opinion. Sometimes, like, people, when I say something, they don't agree with this. But, who cares? I don't care because I know I am right. In my mind. Because everybody have their own views on something."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC, Australia, MMA