Former UFC star Khabib calls for fair opportunities for Dagestani fighters

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov called for a stronger focus on merit, discipline, and equal opportunity during his appearance at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

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Speaking to sports leaders and athletes from around the world, Nurmagomedov reflected on his journey in combat sports and his transition into coaching, emphasising that success should be built on consistency rather than attention-seeking behavior.

"Sport should reward preparation and performance first," Nurmagomedov said.

"If an athlete is doing the work every day and winning, that should be enough to earn opportunities."

A notable part of his address focused on fighters from Dagestan, a region that has produced a number of elite mixed martial artists. Nurmagomedov explained that many of these athletes approach competition with a traditional mindset, placing respect and hard training above public image.

"In Dagestan, fighters don’t grow up learning how to talk loudly," he said. "They grow up learning how to train, how to suffer, and how to improve. Their goal is to compete, not to entertain with words."

Nurmagomedov suggested that this approach can sometimes work against them in modern professional sport, where visibility and promotion often influence career progression. He urged organizations to ensure that evaluation systems remain grounded in results rather than personality.