Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, has reportedly fled Russia after being hit with a $3 million debt charge by Russian tax authorities.

It was earlier reported that Khabib, who last competed in the octagon almost four years ago, owed the Russian Federal Tax Service 297 million rubles, approximately $3.3 million.
This debt led to the freezing of multiple accounts linked to his businesses and charitable organizations by the government.

Then, the situation has worsened even further – as Russian news outlets Mash and REN TV reported that Nurmagomedov’s personal accounts have now been seized, severely impacting his finances.

And now, it appears that Nurmagomedov has fled Russia and settled in the United Arab Emirates…
Where he has, according to the Russian journalists, decided to change his nationality and become the citizen of said country.

🇦🇪😎 Khabib Nurmagomedov has obtained a UAE citizenship, according to Russian journalists. pic.twitter.com/k8Fqmaa5h7

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 20, 2024

Nurmagomedov’s financial turmoil coincides with a tragic terrorist attack in Dagestan.

Russian armed forces raided Nurmagomedov’s MMA gym in Makhachkala as part of their investigation into the attack.
The raid was linked to Gadzhimurad Kagirov, one of the militants involved in the attack that resulted in the deaths of over 20 people.

Kagirov, a 2-0 fighter, was reported to have trained at Nurmagomedov’s gym and with his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov has denied any significant connection to Kagirov:

The terrorist is not our student, that is absolute nonsense, it’s not true.

Yes, he had a camp at the gym at some point, maybe for a couple of months.
But he was never part of the team.

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