The reason that UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov originally turned down a photo with a woman last week has become clear.<br /><br />Khabib, 36, is one of the most impressive fighters in UFC history after winning all 27 of his career bouts.<br /><br />Since retiring, he has focused on coaching and mentoring fighters and is also regularly seen attending high-profile sporting events.<br /><br />However, a clip of Nurmagomedov, 36, circulated on TikTok last week, in which he appeared to urge a woman to turn around when she approached him for a photo at an event.<br /><br />The same individual returned moments later and did take a picture with the 36-year-old, and fans have noticed one major difference. <br /><br />In the original approach, the woman had a drink in her hand, which appeared to be alcoholic.<br /><br />It seems that Khabib instructed her to put down the drink before returning for a photo without it in her hand.<br /><br />This is because the former fighter is a devout Muslim and in Islam, alcohol is prohibited, with the holy book, The Quran, forbidding the consumption of it. <br /><br />And several fans were quick to praise the 36-year-old for maintaining his faith despite all of his fame.<br /><br />One said: 'A man with moral values and discipline,' before another added: 'Money hasn't changed this man, stuck to his beliefs and principles.'<br /><br />A further fan added: 'He's a devout Muslim and doesn't like to engage in any type of way that endorses alcohol.'<br /><br />Khabib regularly spoke about and was involved with his religion throughout his fighting career. <br /><br />The Russian would often be seen praying after his UFC bouts and previously opened up on his faith in 2023 when speaking on his YouTube channel. <br /><br />'A lot of people, they are a little bit shy to show they are Muslim,' he said. 'Some people don't like this, but who cares? My religion taught (sic) this to me: to be a nice person, to be a good man, to be a good family man. <br /><br />'You know, like, to be a good neighbour, to be a good friend. This is only because of my religion. Because of my faith, you know. <br /><br />'And everybody has (sic) their way, but I choose to show this. To show this, to represent this and to be proud of this.'<br /><br />However, Khabib had generated controversy last month when he failed to shake TV host Kate Scott's hand at the Champions League final despite greeting all of her male colleagues. <br /><br />CBS Sports covered the action with their regular punditry trio of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards, and presenter Scott.<br /><br />After Les Parisiens' crushing 5-0 victory, the group was joined at the pitch side by popular streamer IShowSpeed and the UFC icon.<br /><br />As Khabib made his way over to the group, he embraced each member individually before declining a handshake from Scott as her hand remained awkwardly outstretched.<br /><br />Nurmagomedov then appeared to clarify his refusal to the presenter, previously known as Kate Abdo before her marriage to boxing trainer Malik Scott last year, who subsequently apologised on air.
