Khabib Nurmagomedov clears up confusion over ‘signing’ for football club

Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that he has 'not signed a contract' with Russian football team Legion Dynamo despite speculation he was set to embark on a new career in the sport.

The Russian retired from UFC after a final second round victory over Justin Gaethje on Fight Island back in late 2020, and has been training stars such as Islam Makhachev since taking his time out from a hugely successful career.

However pictures emerged on social media of the 32-year-old shaking hands with a representative from Legion Dynamo, which appeared to show the Russian agreeing a deal to begin his football career.

He has since denied the claims, stating that 'he has not signed a contract' despite, but has admitted he has 'close relations' with the Russian third tier side.

“I have friendly relations with Legion Dynamo. I support the team and come to their matches when I’m in Makhachkala, but I have no plan to step on to the field because I fly more than I walk right now," Khabib revealed to RT.

“I haven’t signed the contract but I have close relations. I can come in at any time. It all depends on the situations, we’ll see how it goes. They’ll have a cup match soon, I believe they’ll be playing Russia’s Premier League team from UFA.

"If the Premier League comes maybe… but I have to lose a little weight to get into football shape. Maybe 12 pounds.”

Nurmagomedov has previously revealed that football is his 'first love', despite his superb ability to fight in the cage largely considered as one of the best modern-era athletes to fight in the UFC.

He has also emphasised his plans to eventually accept one of 'many offers' that he has received to play football professionally, although has admitted he will continue to train athletes in MMA.

"A lot of football clubs, they offer me. But I have to little bit become football shape because football shape is little bit different than MMA," Khabib revealed on a recent Facebook Q&A.

Will Khabib ever return to the UFC? Comment below

"When you have to fight in MMA, when we have to play in football, this is two different (sports).

"But if some clubs, they offer me, like, they make me (interested), I’m gonna accept this. Because this is my childhood dream. I love football. I follow football since when I was kid, when I was child. This is my first love.

"Football is on another level. MMA, I like MMA. I like fighting, I like competition with people, with best fighters in the world. But football, for me, is [the] best sport."

Nurmagomedov has recently featured on Mike Tyson's HotBoxin' podcast revealing that he would 'like to possess' the legendary heavyweight's ability and weighed in on the boxing world labelling Tyson Fury as 'the best fighter in the world'.

But the Russian has since revealed he isn't fond on Tyson's 'look' comparing him to a 'real athlete' in Cristiano Ronaldo, and has also explained how close he was to 'killing' former opponent Conor McGregor after their intense battle at UFC 224 back in 2018.

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