Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has said his public support for Palestine has cost him financially, including sponsorship opportunities and professional relationships.
The 37-year-old made the remarks while discussing the situation in Gaza at an event organised by the Miftaah Institute in New Jersey on Saturday, August 8.
Speaking about his decision to use his public platform to speak out for Palestinians, Nurmagomedov said people should not remain silent about the situation in Gaza.
He acknowledged that publicly supporting Palestine could have consequences for professional relationships and commercial opportunities.
“You think it’s not happening with me? It’s happened with us. We lost money too,” he said.
However, Nurmagomedov said financial losses were insignificant compared with the deaths and suffering of Palestinians.
“But money compared to lives is nothing,” he said.
The former UFC champion also urged those unable to provide direct assistance to support Palestinians by other means, including sharing information about Gaza with their audiences.
He particularly called on athletes, celebrities and other public figures with large followings to use their platforms to raise awareness about the situation.
“Just don’t be quiet,” Nurmagomedov said.
He also highlighted the loss of multiple family members in Palestinian families and urged people to at least speak about the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Khabib’s support for Palestine
Nurmagomedov has previously expressed support for Palestinians on several occasions. In 2025, he spoke about his hope for Palestinians to have their own state, including an airport in Gaza.
During a Miftaah Institute event in Michigan in November 2025, he also discussed plans to establish a Khabib Gym in Palestine and bring coaches to train local athletes.
In January 2025, following an Usman Nurmagomedov fight in Dubai, Khabib praised Ireland for its support for the Palestinian cause.
Nurmagomedov retired from professional mixed martial arts in 2020 with an undefeated 29-0 record.
