UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov signs with Russian football club Legion Dynamo
- Third-tier Russian Professional Football League side announce deal online with retired former UFC lightweight champion
- ‘A great battle awaits our Legion, for which we need great warriors,’ club says
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA in October last year, has been signed by third-tier Russian football club Legion Dynamo.
Nurmagomedov announced his retirement following his submission victory over American Justin Gaethje on October 24, his first fight following the death of his father Abdulmanap from complications caused by Covid-19.
Fulfilling a promise made to his mother, the undefeated 32-year-old left the cage after a stunning run of 13 UFC wins in eight years and a professional record featuring eight knockouts and 11 submissions in his 29 victories.
In January, Nurmagomedov revealed his intentions to transition to football, tweeting that he was preparing for his debut in the sport and “ready to accept offers”.
Legion Dynamo, who play in the third-tier Russian Professional Football League and are third in the competition this season, announced the signing on Instagram with a photo of Nurmagomedov shaking the hand of a club official.
“A great battle awaits our Legion, for which we need great warriors,” the club said in the post.
“We are preparing to receive the RPL team together with Khabib Nurmagomedov.”
