UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov under fire for clip showing homeless people doing push-ups (VIDEO)
Russian MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov has been criticized for publishing a video showing his cousin appearing to offer money to homeless men in the US to do push-ups while he is said to be heard laughing in the background.
READ MORE: ‘Biggest fight in UFC history’ – Dana White on Khabib Nurmagomedov v Conor McGregor
Nurmagomedov, who faces Irishman Conor McGregor in October in a bout expected to be the biggest in MMA history, reportedly posted the video on his Instagram account.
It was later deleted, although the footage has been republished on Twitter by MMA Bible.
In the clip, Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who is also an MMA fighter, is seen apparently offering to pay homeless men to do push-ups on the street.
What are your thoughts on this video posted by Khabib of him and his cousin paying homeless people to do press ups for money... 🤔Personally we feel it's disgusting and degrading.. Especially them constantly laughing at those involved.. 😡 pic.twitter.com/msE5i9ureE
— The MMA Bible (@TheMMABible) August 6, 2018
A voice, apparently Khabib Nurmagomedov’s, is heard laughing behind the camera as the two men carry out the task.
The clip, said to be recent, has sparked anger among some in the MMA community, with MMA Bible branding it “disgusting and degrading.”
British UFC bantamweight Nathaniel Wood replied “this makes me sad” under the video, while Belgian UFC fighter Cindy Dandois wrote: “It pains my heart to see a man who talks about God all the time, act like this!”
This makes me sad 😔
— Nathaniel wood (@TheProspectMMA) August 7, 2018
It pains my heart to see a man who talks about God all the time, act like this!
— Cindy Dandois (@DandoisCindy) August 7, 2018
Swedish MMA fighter Jack Hermansson condemned the video as “disgusting.”
Disgusting behaviour. People may think this is harmless but this is taking away dignety from a person that is in a struggle and you laugh about it. He see people doing pushups everyday without laughing. But he thinks it is funny because there is a poor homeless man?!?!
— jack hermansson (@jackthejokermma) August 7, 2018
Some attempted to defend the clip, claiming that the homeless men had the choice whether or not to complete the task and had done so under their own free will.
Homeless people going up to people asking them for money, and these people say we’ll give you money if you can do some body weight exercises. They have the choice to say yes or no, and said yes and did them. What’s the issue?
— Ayy (@crepattack) August 6, 2018
Nurmagomedov is preparing to face Irish star McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas on October 6, in what is expected to be the most lucrative bout in the promotion’s history.
The Russian, 29, is undefeated in 26 fights - including 10 in the UFC - and won the vacant lightweight title after beating Al Iaquinta in April.
READ MORE: I hope we don’t see any provocation from McGregor – Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father
Irishman McGregor, 30, is returning to MMA after a two-year hiatus, during which he had a foray into boxing in a megabout against Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor previously held the lightweight belt now owned by Nurmagomedov, and was the first man to hold two titles simultaneously in the promotion.
UFC chief Dana White expects the bout to see a record 2 million pay-per-view buys.
