Khabib Nurmagomedov and Erling Haaland have exchanged messages on social media, with the UFC legend labelling the towing striker a "beast".
A massive football fan, Khabib has swapped greetings and signed kit with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe - and now the Russian fighter and Haaland have exchanged messages of mutual appreciation.
Nurmagomedov revealed on Instagram that the 20-year-old Haaland had sent him a match-worn Borussia Dortmund shirt with a personalised message: "To Khabib Champ!" before signing his name.
Khabib responded: "Thank you so much beast" and tagging in Haaland, who responded "No problem champ" on his own IG account.
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'Beast' is an appropriate description of the 6ft 4in Norwegian sensation, who's taken the Bundesliga and the Champions League by storm, scoring 43 goals in 43 games for Borussia Dortmund.
Boasting an intimidating frame, remarkable speed and strength, plus excellent technique, Haaland actually has the raw physical materials to have become an MMA fighter (had he taken up combat sports at a young age).
As it is, Haaland has stuck to battering Europe's defenders and goal nets, scoring 18 Champions League goals in just 13 matches.
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Khabib may be labelled "champ" by Haaland but is, in fact, officially retired. 'The Eagle' made the shock announcement in the Octagon after he took his MMA record to 30-0 by defending his UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in October 2020.
In fact, the 32-year-old Khabib has even joked that he's training to become a professional footballer and has called himself a "free agent" awaiting his pro debut.
It's highly unlikely, but what we'd give to see Haaland and Nurmagomedov up front together - possibly in a charity football match - as the world's scariest big man and little man combination.
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If we were the defenders, we would honestly just walk directly off the pitch, never to return.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Football, Erling Haaland, UFC
