An incident involving notable UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and CBS anchor Kate Abdo during the Champions League Final has recently drawn attention, not least from popular YouTuber IShowSpeed. Broadcasted live from Munich’s Allianz Arena, the match saw Paris Saint-Germain triumph over Inter Milan with a resounding 5-0 victory. However, the internet is more heavily buzzing about a particular moment that occurred off the field, where Nurmagomedov appeared to turn down a handshake from Abdo.
The YouTube community quickly began dissecting this incident, especially considering Nurmagomedov had greeted others with handshakes just moments before, including IShowSpeed. Abdo extended her hand, but it was met with a refusal from Nurmagomedov. He, who had a distinguished career as a professional mixed martial artist and held the UFC Lightweight Champion title from April 2018 to March 2021, was at the event as a featured guest, exchanging handshakes and embraces with other male attendees.
However, when he came face to face with Abdo, Nurmagomedov chose not to accept the proffered handshake, instead placing his hand over his heart. This action took Abdo by surprise, leading her to quickly retract her hand and apologize before proceeding to welcome him onto the show. The occurrence was indeed glazed over quickly and professional decorum was maintained throughout.
IShowSpeed, caught in the crossfire, was visibly taken aback by Nurmagomedov’s refusal of the handshake. On the spot, his reaction consisted of a distinct shift in facial expression, characterized by widened eyes and his tongue sticking out. Without question, this moment of awkward exchange did not slip past the observant YouTuber.
The incident didn’t just capture the attention of IShowSpeed, it also took the internet by storm thereafter. Several days post the event, a clip focusing on IShowSpeed’s surprised reaction has now become a point of considerable discussion among viewers. A number of reactions from audiences watching the snippet are quite intriguing, with many expressing disbelief over the occurrence.
One spectator reacted with complete astonishment, failing to reconcile the event as it unfolded. Another audience member expressed their shock, noting, ‘This caught me off guard.’ Meanwhile, a baffled social media user wondered about IShowSpeed’s presence at the event, inquiring, ‘WTF is Speed doing there in the first place.’
Though this event has caught many off guard, it’s important to consider Nurmagomedov’s faith in this context. A dedicated Sunni Muslim, Nurmagomedov adheres to specific principles of his religion which includes forgoing physical contact with members of the opposite gender outside of his family.
Public opinion seems divided on the incident, yet a considerable portion has come forward to acknowledge their ‘respectful’ approach to this surprising occurrence. Amongst the divided views, some expressed their appreciation for the duo’s handling of the situation. One feedback read: ‘Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology.’
‘They both handled that very well and quickly,’ commented another, showing an appreciation for the quick and immediate resolution. This sentiment was shared by another viewer who added, ‘It is out of respect. Notice how he holds his hand to his heart; this is a greeting in itself.’
Delving into the trend, a comment highlighted the respect evident in the exchange, stating, ‘This was the most respectful exchange.’ The respect and understanding shown by both parties seemed to strike a chord with many viewers, making the incident as much a source of admiration as it was of intrigue.
This is not the first time Nurmagomedov’s religious beliefs have come into play as it pertains to physical interaction. A previous incident involving former UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo in 2020 shows a similar pattern. Nurmagomedov refused to engage in direct contact with her during training, citing the same religious reasons.
Despite his refusal, he was more than willing to teach fight techniques, demonstrating them for Calvillo to learn and apply. However, he maintained his stance on avoiding direct physical contact, staying true to his principles. It is a confluence of culture, norms and personal belief which has drawn this interesting intersection of profession and faith.