Khabib Nurmagomedov has spoken often of the massive following he has in his native Dagestan, and if his return home on Monday was any indication, he wasn’t kidding.
The newly crowned undisputed UFC lightweight champion was swarmed by a legion of his fans as he touched down at Uytash Airport in Makhachkala on Monday. Nurmagomedov is just two days removed from defeating Al Iaquinta to earn himself a world title in the main event of UFC 223, which took place in Brooklyn.
Nurmagomedov took a moment to address the crowd in his native Russian:
He was then feted by dancers who performed a national folk routine in his honor:
Nurmagomedov’s father and coach Abdulmanap, who was unable to be in attendance at UFC 223 due to visa issues, joined in on the festivities and cut a rug for his son.