UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking his talents to a very different sport. Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov signs with Russian soccer club

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Aug 14, 2021 2:35 PM ET

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking his talents to a very different sport, signing with Russian third-division soccer club FC Legion Dynamo, according to Reuters.

The 32-year-old tweeted in January that he was "preparing" for his football debut and was "ready to accept offers." He wasn't joking, either, as Legion Dynamo posted a picture of Nurmagomedov with a club official.

"A great battle awaits our Legion, for which we need great warriors," the team Instagram account said, translated to English. "We are preparing to receive the RPL team together with Khabib Nurmagomedov."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amat Victoria Curam ⚔️ (@fc_legion_05)

Other than the Instagram post, the club has been quiet about the signing of Nurmagomedov, and it's unclear what position he will play.

Nurmagomedov (29-0) announced his retirement from UFC following his second-round submission win against Justin Gaethje in October at UFC 254. The fight was his first since the death of his father from complications from COVID-19.

The 32-year-old isn't the first athlete to switch to soccer. Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt played for the Central Coast Mariners in Australia for two months, and former NFL Pro Bowler Chad Johnson had a four-day trial with Sporting Kansas City in 2011 before returning to soccer in 2018 with Boca Raton FC of the National Premier Soccer League.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

More must-reads: