Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov? Russian UFC fighter whose bus was ‘attacked by Conor McGregor’
KHABIB Nurmagomedov is one of the most formidable fighters in MMA, who has never tasted defeat in a professional fight.
The steely Russian hit the headlines after Irish superstar Conor McGregor was charged with assault after smashing his UFC rival's bus – here's what you need to know about him.
Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Khabib Nurmagomedov was born in modern-day Dagestan, Russia, on September 20 1988.
He began wrestling at the age of six, trained by his army veteran and athlete father Abdulmanap, and took up judo and the Soviet martial art combat sambo as a teenager.
His made his professional MMA debut in September 2008 and quickly became a regional star in Russia, his 16-0 record earning him a call-up from the UFC.
Nicknamed "The Eagle", and with a fighting technique honed heavily by the wrestling and grappling experience of his youth, Nurmagomedov has become one of the stars of the franchise.
The 29-year-old currently holds one of the longest unbeaten streaks in MMA, with a perfect record from a total of 25 fights.
Away from the UFC cage, the devastating Russian is a fan of FC Anzhi Makhachkala and is married with two children, a daughter and a son.
What was the Conor McGregor bus incident?
Ahead of UFC 223, Conor McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief after smashing Nurmagomedov's bus in an attack alleged to have left at least two people injured.
The Irish superstar turned himself in to cops after smashing the bus windows with a metal trolley during chaotic scenes at a media event in New York.
An NYPD spokesman said: "He (McGregor) has been charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief."
Shocking footage showed McGregor, 29, bursting into the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and smashing the bus rival Nurmagomedov was in with a trolley.
At the time, the UFC had gathered to promote Saturday's show, headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway.
Following the incident, the website reported Nurmagomedov as saying: "I am laughing inside. You broke window? Why? Come inside.
"You know UFC don’t let you come inside. If you real gangster why don’t you come inside?
"This is big history gangster place. Brooklyn. You want to talk to me? Send me location. We have to talk? I am gonna come, no problem."
McGregor was reportedly retaliating after Nurmagomedov confronted the Irishman's pal Artem Lobov earlier in the week.
The groups are said to have a history of lengthy insults and confrontations.
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