UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has once again voiced his strong reservations about women competing in mixed martial arts. The former lightweight champion stated that he does not find it appealing to watch female fighters engage in combat, either during professional bouts or in training.
In a recent interview, when asked about his perspective on the growth of women’s MMA, Nurmagomedov posed a rhetorical question to the female reporter:
“How do you feel about getting hit in the face?”
The 37-year-old then elaborated on his stance, acknowledging that his views might attract criticism. He highlighted the importance of physical appearance, particularly for women, stating:
“The most precious thing on our body is our face, right? Every day, we all look in the mirror and want to look good. Men may be once, but if women have a mirror with them, they look 1000 times a day.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Detailed Comments on Why He Disapproves of Women in MMA
During the same discussion, Khabib Nurmagomedov further explained his reasons for not wishing to see women in the octagon. He remarked:
“There are women who chose this sport. It’s their choice. They chose it. If you ask me, I wouldn’t choose this sport for women. It’s brutal for men, first of all. For women, I don’t even consider it…. For me, it’s still something wild when a woman gets hit in the face.”
Nurmagomedov concluded by emphasizing the significance of traditional gender roles in society, although he agreed that women should learn self-defense. “The Eagle” asserted his belief that God created women to be “weaker” and men to be “stronger.” He expressed his personal preference for what he considers distinct roles for each gender:
“Every person in life has a mission. For a man, it’s to raise children, take care of the family, and take care of loved ones. There are very few women who take on big responsibilities. It’s very hard for them. It’s not without reason. God created it this way: A woman is weaker, a man is stronger. People want to change and mix all of this. I don’t know how you feel about it, but I like when a man does men’s work, and a woman does women’s work.”
This isn’t the first time Khabib Nurmagomedov has generated controversy with his comments regarding women’s involvement in combat sports. He previously caused a stir by calling MMA ring girls “the most useless.”
