Former UFC lightweight champion and Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov made a high-profile appearance at the Parc des Princes, taking in the UEFA Champions League clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. The retired MMA icon was not alone, as he was accompanied by two notable figures from the world of sports and entertainment.
Joining Nurmagomedov in the stands was PSG's own Moroccan international defender, Achraf Hakimi. The trio was completed by Malik Bentalha, a popular French actor. Their presence together at the major European football fixture was captured in a photograph shared from Bentalha's personal archive, highlighting the crossover appeal of elite athletes and celebrities at top-tier sporting events.
The match itself concluded with a 1-1 draw, a result that would have provided plenty of talking points for the star-studded spectators. For Nurmagomedov, the outing represents a continued public presence following his legendary career inside the Octagon.
The Russian fighter, known as 'The Eagle,' officially retired from mixed martial arts after his final bout at UFC 254. That event took place on October 24, 2020, on Yas Island near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. His opponent that night was the interim UFC lightweight champion, American Justin Gaethje.
Nurmagomedov secured a decisive victory in that contest, submitting Gaethje with a triangle choke in the second round. The win marked the 29th of his professional career and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest lightweights in the sport's history. Immediately following the fight, he announced his decision to step away from competition, honoring a promise made to his mother after the passing of his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Since retiring, Nurmagomedov has remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor to other fighters, while also making various public appearances. His attendance at the PSG-Bayern match alongside Hakimi and Bentalha is the latest example of his continued visibility in the global sports and entertainment landscape.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.