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Khabib Nurmagomedov explains what he wanted to do before fighting took over his life

Originally posted on HITC | By Jamie Brown | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 9:53 AM ET

Khabib Nurmagomedov may be a big name in the fight game, but he actually had his sights set on another sport before stepping into the cage.

Khabib Nurmagomedov hails from a family deeply embedded in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Even after stepping away from fighting, he’s stayed involved by taking on a coaching role, continuing the legacy his family built.

Despite having one of the most impressive resumes in the sport, many still feel Khabib walked away too soon.

But long before all that success in MMA, Khabib originally had plans to chase a career somewhere else entirely.

Khabib’s first dream was to play professional football

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Growing up in Europe, football was everywhere. For most kids, it was the sport they all wanted to play when they were older.

Khabib shared that dream early on. But growing up in Dagestan, fighting made more sense for him and his family. It was just more accessible.

Throughout his time in the UFC, Khabib never hid his passion for football. There’s even a video that went viral of him impressing Manel Kape with how much he knew about the game.

Speaking at the World Sports Summit, Khabib said: “I was watching football (soccer) all my life and I really love the sport, and for me, that sport is still number one.”

He added: “When I was young my dream was to become a football player and after I accidentally became a fighter sometimes this happens you know where I born where I grew up and my father is coach I’m joking with accidentally but in my heart it always was football.”

And now that he’s no longer fighting, Khabib can often be found at matches supporting Real Madrid.