Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed that publicly supporting Palestine cost him and other Muslim MMA fighters valuable sponsorship deals. Speaking at a recent event hosted by the Miftah Institute in New Jersey, Khabib discussed the financial consequences of speaking publicly about Palestine.
The former champion said he had personally experienced financial losses because of his stance.
“You think it’s not happening with me? It’s happened with us. We lost money too,” Khabib said.
However, Khabib stressed that such financial losses remained insignificant compared with the suffering and deaths experienced by Palestinians.
Khabib Says Fighters Lost Contracts
During the discussion, Khabib said athletes and other public figures can face consequences when they use their platforms to discuss major humanitarian issues.
He specifically claimed that he, Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov had lost sponsorship opportunities because of their support for Palestine.
“Islam and I have lost contracts over Palestine support,” he said.
Khabib has repeatedly used his large social media following to express solidarity with Palestinians. He has also encouraged influential figures to speak about the situation.
According to the former UFC champion, supporting Palestinians does not always require significant financial contributions.
Instead, he believes people with large audiences can help by sharing information and drawing attention to civilian suffering.
Khabib Urges Public Figures Not to Stay Silent
Khabib also addressed the responsibility that comes with having a large public platform.
He argued that athletes, celebrities and influencers can use their reach to raise awareness about issues affecting civilians.
The former fighter acknowledged that some people may have limited resources to provide direct assistance. Nevertheless, he urged them to avoid remaining silent.
“Just don’t be quiet,” he said.
His comments reflect his continued public support for Palestinians. Khabib has previously used interviews and social media to encourage people to discuss the humanitarian situation.
Financial Losses Compared With Human Suffering
While Khabib said he and fellow fighters had faced financial consequences, he placed those losses in a broader context. For him, the loss of sponsorships cannot compare with the suffering faced by Palestinians. His remarks also highlight the potential tension public figures can face when they speak openly about politically sensitive humanitarian issues.
Khabib’s comments have added another dimension to his long-running public advocacy for Palestinians. The former champion continues to argue that people with influence can contribute simply by using their platforms.
For Khabib, that means speaking openly despite potential professional or financial consequences. His latest remarks make clear that he views remaining silent as a greater concern than losing commercial opportunities.
