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I think I was misunderstood: Khabib Nurmagomedov apologises to Afghan fans

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Saikat Banerjee
Saikat Banerjee
A wordsmith who indulges in the world of combat sports, Saikat Banerjee is an MMA, boxing, and arm wrestling content writer at The MMA India Show and The Sports Room. Apart from combat sports, he also engages in Indian sports content at The Sports India Show. Currently pursuing an MBA from Jadavpur University, Saikat's other interests lie in motorcycling, working out, and travelling.
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A couple of days ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov was not very keen on breaking silence over the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and his responses generated some vehement reactions from his fanbase around the world.

And now, the former UFC Lightweight champion has finally come up and opened up on the situation in Afghanistan, apologizing for his earlier attitude as well as claiming that he was misunderstood for his earlier comments.

I’m not ashamed to apologize to them: Khabib reaches out to the Afghan people for his earlier comments

During a Gorilla Energy press conference last week, on the heels of Khabib signing a five year deal with Gorilla Energy, a reporter had asked the Dagestani MMA legend about his opinion regarding Afghanistan, as he had earlier reacted to the teacher’s beheading in France, as well as the Israel-Palestine conflict.

However, when it came to Afghanistan, ‘The Eagle’ steered away from making any comments on the situation, responding that he didn’t want to make a discussion on ‘politics’.

“I wouldn’t like to sit here during such a serious and unique deal for a Russian sport. We have never have such a serious deal neither in Russian football, not in hockey. Today we have such a deal, and I wouldn’t like to discuss this political moment that happens thousands of kilometres away,” Khabib had said.

Khabib Nurmagomedov about the situation in Afghanistan | MMA, ENG SUBS - YouTube
Khabib’s earlier comments on Afghanistan generated massive backlash from his fans. (Image Courtesy Gorilla Fighting)

The comments gave Khabib some backlash from the supporters, especially from his fans in Afghanistan, as someone who has always been vocal about situations that impact Muslims, staying mum while the Taliban grasps an entire country with the world watching.

At a press conference event in Moscow on Monday, the undefeated Lightweight followed up on his earlier statements, clarifying once again that his earlier reaction was because he “didn’t want to comment on politics.

Of course the reaction I received was stormy from my Afghan fans. I looked again at my answer… when I said it was thousands of kilometers away and didn’t concern me or the person who asked me,” said Khabib.

From mentioning the Afghan families that he has a close relation in Fremont, which holds the largest Afghan community outside of their native homeland, to his near and dear ones in Afghanistan, Khabib said that he was not “ashamed” to apologize to anyone if his earlier statements had been offensive.

When I said what I said, I just didn’t want to comment on politics.  Their people are long-suffering. What was happening and is happening there, many have seen in their lifetime. It’s painful for them, I worry. I want to wish them all the best,” he added. (H/T RT)

Later, Khabib posted a clip of this part of the press conference on his Instagram, with the caption “About Afghanistan people.”

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