When a fan asked Khabib Nurmagomedov, aka ‘The Eagle’, for advice for females wanting to get into the fighting industry, he said:
“For females, I have a very good advice, be fighter inside your home.”
The crowd at the event hosted by the non-profit foundation Misk Talk in Saudi Arabia cheered.
He then added: “And one more advice, all the time, finish your husband.”
Watch video footage below:
Khabib is here in Riyadh@TeamKhabib @MiSKinitiatives#MiSKTalk pic.twitter.com/kX06aWwpb1
— Ahmed Ashraf (@ahmedashraf707) December 1, 2018
Mist Talk is a non-profit organisation established by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to offer “an interactive platform in which young Saudis and international leaders give short, inspiring conversations about their life travels.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Russian-born professional mixed martial artist, beat out Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on October 6 2018, making him the UFC lightweight champion.
He’s the first ever Muslim to hold a division title at the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
He took to Twitter after the event to say: “Thank you so much my dear fans from Saudi Arabia. This communication was a great experience for me. See you next time.”
Unsurprisingly, Khabib’s comment has blown up on social media:
Women in sport are still women. There genetic combination is still XX. They still go through cycles and they still carry children in their wombs. Women are naturally strong and intelligent. There is no shame from having them succeeding and competing in tough sports…
— Nooritelli?? (@NooriAlsa) December 6, 2018
This is so #sad since she was brave to ask and proud to ask… #sexist #khabib what a role model.
— Maja (@FraeuleinKafka) December 6, 2018
Joking around is one thing, but the reaction of the crowd was uncomfortable to watch. They were already roaring and laughing by the first line ‘be a fighter in the home’ – when it could have been a genuine sexist remark for all they knew. Khabib should’ve known that.
— Cillian Cunningham (@CillianCMMA) December 6, 2018
Khabib Nurmagomedov is headed to Australia next month for a talk at Palais Theatre in Melbourne on January 11. The event will be hosted by Robb Tasker.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on