Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most iconic athletes to ever step inside a UFC Octagon. Despite walking away, he has kept in touch with the sport that made him who he is today. Moreover, he has left behind a legacy that continues to inspire many even to this day.
Recently, a former member of a Mexican cartel shared his story about how he managed to pull himself out of a difficult situation, thanks to Khabib. Known as Zack Gonzalez, he was a key figure in a Mexican cartel and had even served time in prison. Notably, Gonzalez was born in Mexico and brought up in California in a Christian household.
Speaking on the “kickinupdustmedia” podcast, Gonzalez talks about the time he hit a low and contemplated taking his own life. As it turns out, Zack had already prepared to hang himself from a rope above his bed. “I was making my rope and I was looking where to hang myself”. At this point, the cartel member was on his bed, eyes closed, when he suddenly decided not to go through with the plan. Instead, he opened up his computer and came across a black-screen Quran recitation.
Following this, Zack watched Khabib Nurmagomedov fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 only a few days later. “A homeboy invited me over to his house, he said, hey you wanna see this UFC fight coming up? And it was Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje. And I see Khabib saying, ‘Alhamdulillah’ and I was like, what is that.” Further research led Gonzalez to learn about Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and the famous undefeated general Khalid ibn Walid.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has helped many connect with Islam
Thus, it was by sheer chance that Gonzalez discovered Islam and was able to make the connection with ‘The Eagle’ when he said ‘Alhamdulillah’. From then on, the Mexican began following the ways of the Quran and brought his life back on track. As such, he added, “A lot of people ask me like, ‘Who gave you dawah?’ No one did homie, Allah guided me.”
Similarly, Khabib has also been a massive influence for UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad in the past. In what Belal expected to be just another training camp with a great fighter, the Palestine-born fighter actually ended up getting a lot more than what he bargained for. Apart from improving his wrestling, Belal also connected with his religion, Islam, and learned a lot about brotherhood. “The best choice I ever made was coming down here and training with them. Not only for my martial arts but for my Islam, for my religion, just bringing me closer to it all”.
Similar to Belal, Khabib has mentored many Dagestani fighters to follow the ways taught in the Quran. Known for having coached current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to the title, Khabib has been very vocal in his preaching. Notably, Khabib has always advised fighters to stay away from alcohol and girls.
According to Khabib, a Muslim is not ideal but Islam is. As such, he has often told his students that girls, partying, and similar vices only hamper an athlete’s potential. Although he has completely walked away from competing and coaching, Khabib has opened his own gym to help athletes train. Thus, Khabib keeps inspiring people to become better versions of themselves and be closer to Allah.