Most aren’t aware that Khabib Nurmagomedov refuses to participate in any fights during Ramadan. Considering that he’s the top-rated fighter in the UFC and is slated to begin his third lightweight title defence in the thirty days, it’s shocking that Dana White permits this decision. Most fighting analysts claim that refusal to operate under contract for Ramadan indicates that Khabib Nurmagomedov is a weak man. The champion has never taken these statements lightly, with previous reports causing Khabib to attack reporters verbally.

It’s not surprising that Khabib Nurmagomedov feels this way towards Ramadan. It’s considered the holiest month for Muslims, with this community of billions not allowed to eat for thirty days while the sun rises. It prompts significantly hard training sessions for Middle-Eastern Fighters, with some analysts claiming these actions are horrible for their body and could affect performances in the octagon. It should be noted that every injury that Khabib Nurmagomedov has experienced followed a month or two after Ramadan when his body was weakest.

This doesn’t mean that Khabib stops all variations of his training, with the champion still competing in various sessions within the United States of America. Khabib has often attacked his trainers during this period, with the lack of food creating a troubled mind that is stressed and deprived of the needed energy to engage in daily life. Because of what this religious period means for Muslims, Khabib believes that spending time with family and going to mosques for prayers is more important than keeping a physical health body. For his profession, this is a somewhat foolish decision but respectable that Khabib stands by his faith to such extremes.

Khabib himself stated: “It’s tough and very dangerous, too. All-day, you don’t drink, and you don’t eat. Injuries can come. That’s why we don’t have too much contact and without sparring. It’s still hard.”

These statements continued with Khabib Nurmagomedov requires forty-five days to recover after Ramadan. This means that the UFC Champion is unable to compete for more than 2+ months of the year. Most UFC Fighters aren’t pleased with the champion’s decision, as typically it considered unprofessional not to defend your title at any period. True heroes will defend their title in any physical, mental or religious condition. Just ask Muhammed Ali if he’d fight during Ramadan and he’d agree immediately.