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Former UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov spoke out in opposition to the proliferation of betting firm sponsorships in sports activities. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
“Worse than alcoholism”
Former UFC light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he won’t contemplate partnering with sportsbooks at any time.
We don’t want bookmakers.”
“Now we have loads of good sponsors that we work with and placed on occasions with,” mentioned Nurmagomedov. “We don’t want bookmakers.”
“The Eagle” delivered his verdict after being requested why his Eagle Combating Championship (Eagle FC), a Russian promotion firm, didn’t work with bookmakers. Khabib concluded that working with gaming operators can be worse than selling alcoholism.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and his beliefs
All through his profession, Nurmagomedov was famend for sustaining a really disciplined regiment. He’s additionally a working towards Sunni Muslim, and in line with the Quran, Muslims are forbidden to gamble.
As soon as essentially the most feared man within the octagon, Nurmagomedov believes that bookmakers have the potential to destroy lives.
“Bookmakers spoil total households,” mentioned Nurmagomedov. “What number of younger guys go on their websites, keep on them, and turn into addicted?”
Complete households get ruined due to it.”
“Complete households get ruined due to it. You understand nicely how robust of an habit playing is. It’s the identical as a drug habit. It could be the identical if I have been to promote medicine right here. Playing and drug habit are on the identical stage for me.”
The recently-retired champion additionally famous that Eagle FC will proceed to be very selective with its companions and focus.
“We take note of the kind of product we give our viewers,” he mentioned. “The one factor we promote is sport.”
“I don’t need the those that watch us to see alcohol or bookmakers adverts. It’s crucial to me. I don’t need individuals to find a bookmaker from watching Eagle FC, then go on their website and develop an habit.”
Sentiments from different fighters
Nurmagomedov’s current speech echoes that of Tyson Fury, a two-time world heavyweight champion in boxing, who mentioned in February that he wouldn’t help partnerships or promoting inside the playing business.
Fury himself has a protracted historical past with psychological struggles, together with despair and alcoholism, and has been outspoken on the consequences of habit, even since he retired from the game in April.
Fury himself additionally partnered with B2B playing provider SBTech as a model ambassador
Fury’s father John, nevertheless, was made a model ambassador by freebets.com in March. Fury himself additionally partnered with B2B playing provider SBTech as a model ambassador at ICE London three 12 months previous to his feedback.
Nurmagomedov has not appeared within the ring since he fought Justin Gaethje on October 24, 2020. His— and the UFC’s— most-watched struggle was a 2018 bout in opposition to the prolific Conor McGregor, which resulted in a fourth-round submission for the Russian. He has a profession report of 29-0-0.
Nurmagomedov additionally has two cousins, Abubakar and Umar, who’re nonetheless lively within the UFC.