In a moment captured during preparations for UFC 330, Khabib Nurmagomedov shared an unexpected philosophy about gym etiquette that speaks volumes about respect and professionalism in combat sports. The retired UFC champion emphasized that athletes should approach training sessions with the same care and attention they would give to attending a formal celebration.
“All the time when I go to gym, I always cut my nails. I wash my who body. I wash my teeth. I go very good t-shirts smell. I put cologne on myself,” Khabib explained. “When I go to the gym, I go like on holiday, you know, like how to say like somebody’s like weeding.”
This approach might seem unusual in a sport known for its physicality and aggression, but Khabib’s reasoning reveals a deeper understanding of what makes a training environment successful.
His philosophy centers on consideration for training partners, the very people who help athletes prepare for competition.
“Like you have to because you have to think about your sparring partners too. This is very important,” he stated. “You know when you go with your bad smell, who who’s going to stay with you? Who’s going to spar? Who’s going to wrestle with you?”
The sentiment reflects the values that Khabib has instilled in his team, which includes UFC star Islam Makhachev. Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight title at UFC 330, defeating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in a highly competitive five-round main event.
Although Makhachev was pushed harder than expected and finished the match with visible blood and swelling on his face, he remained composed and found a way to secure the victory, improving his record to 29-1.
