Ultimate Fighting Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gave Western men a lesson in masculinity a week and half ago in Las Vegas at UFC 229. I missed his domination of former champ Connor McGregor live by mistakenly tuning into Yankees-Red Sox.
But I have caught up on what transpired. Watch this link to see the finish and the aftermath.
Now watching that may make you think this guy is a madman. While I don’t think it was a good move to jump the cage and attack McGregor’s team, it’s understandable given the history.
Back in April when Khabib was fighting in Brooklyn for the vacant title resulting from the Irishman’s inactivity, McGregor went on a possibly semi-scripted and rumored drug and alcohol fueled rampage by attacking Khabib’s bus after the weigh-in with a dolly.
This resulted in other fighters on the bus being injured and scrapped from their coming fights. Funny how McGregor had the energy to attack a bus, but not to get in camp to defend the title against the Russian. I suspect he knew what was coming and wanted to delay it while also juicing up the inevitable pay-per-view numbers.
But the bus attack and ducking were not the only provocations from McGregor. He proceeded to verbally attack Khabib’s nationality, family and faith.
What impresses me is that the Russian Muslim acknowledged his post fight actions without apologizing for them. Khabib is facing a possible long term suspension and his $2,000,000 purse is being held by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The champ has dug his heels in saying as seen in this link.
This is a man of principle. How much more orderly and respectful would Western society be if us men handled ourselves, stuck to our principles and defended our honor like this?
McGregor is a poster child for today’s “in your face” behavior by Western athletes. He is what ESPN celebrates and what our youth now emulates.
Trash talk is now justified, especially in combat sports as selling the event. But some combatants are more interested in professionalism, competition and honor.
I suspect Khabib wants to make as much money as he can in his career. But he also strikes me as a man who is not completely for sale and that’s refreshing.
I also admire how he stands up for his faith. I will never be mistaken for a proponent of Islam.
I hear a lot more anger towards infidels than love and mercy for my personal religious taste. But how much stronger would Christianity be in the West if we stood up for our faith the way they do?
While I am by no means calling for Christians to go out and harm non-believers, we may not get as much s**t kicked in our face by society if we made it clear it would not be accepted without consequence, at least in the form of boycotts.
It all starts by practicing our faith. Talk soon.
-Marksman