In this era, with the emergence of social media as a tool for getting news and if also you are interested in sports then the names Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor would make a ring to your ear. You might have heard or seen about the fight that happened in UFC 229 on 6th of October, where Irishman, McGregor, was decimated by a rather unknown face, Khabib, in the octagon. Or you might have seen the videos making round on social media about a UFC fighter getting into brawl (almost like a street fight) post match.
What was so special about this fight that it got a ‘global hype’?
When I use the term hype, most of the time it is used to portray an exaggeration of fact and is rather taken negatively, but in the case of Khabib v McGregor it does not stand true.
This combat match is put in equivalence to ‘The fight of the century’ title holders, Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier boxing match in 1971 and Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao in 2015, by the pundits.
Interesting point is that more than the fighting part this match was played up for the not so mysterious identity of Khabib who happens to be a devout Muslim from Dagestan.
The spotlight came on the athlete (fighter in case you want him to be specified for his sport) Khabib after personal insults were hurled at him in the pre-match press conferences for what he strongly believes in and for what he is – Muslim.
In one of the press conferences, McGregor ‘overstepped the line’ after he tried to offer Khabib a drink of his new whiskey brand. To which Khabib responded that “he never drinks” and was a teetotaller (obviously because of his Muslim background). McGregor sneered at him with mouthful of swear words.
That was not the only part of the presser which should have raised eyebrows from the organiser but McGregor had earlier went on ahead and called one of the promoters – Ali Abdelaziz – from Khabib’s camp as “snitch, terrorist rat”.
McGregor also discussed the historic ethnic tensions between Chechnya and Dagestan, place from where Khabib hails. The issues from the region are complex and go back generations and had nothing to do with the match antics but still were brought up by the Irish fighter for no reason.
The verbal jousting in combat sports is nothing new and was popularised by Muhammad Ali however, McGregor’s comment came in poor taste.
For all the outbursts verbal volleys, personal insults Khabib remained quiet and patient stating: You come for money, I come for legacy.
Maybe, he was aware that his in ring prowess will leave more impact rather than competing in foul mouth match.
The match ended in the fourth round as McGregor tapped out to Khabib who had outmanoeuvred him on the mat. Right after the win, Khabib then jumped back into the crowd and took a jab at McGregor’s camp, which is being investigated and is alleged that what incited Khabib.
Ironically, an immediate surge occurred on Khabib’s action. While, people were quick to judge Khabib’s action, McGregor was given a free pass.
In his post match press conference with a Russian accent and his fragmented English, Khabib apologised and said, “First of all I want to say sorry to the athletic commission. This is my bad side. He talks about my religion, he talks about my country, he talks about father…”
Meanwhile, we are still searching for an apology from McGregor’s side for all the expletives and hurls at Khabib’s personal choices.
For his demeanour and later his combat style – Khabib Nurmagomedov – won many new fans and raised the bar for the conduct of a Muslim athlete.
As the grappler continues to thank Allah for all the achievements he is certainly raising awareness about Muslims in general and is becoming the new standard in new generation.