UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 following his 29th pro MMA fight, submitting Justin Gaethje to retain the UFC’s 155lb title.
Since walking away from the sport and vacating that belt, Khabib has remained active in the gym as a coach, training alongside friends and family including cousin and Bellator MMA lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov, UFC bantamweight (and also cousin) Umar Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion. Beyond that, he took control of Eagle FC (formerly Gorilla FC) in November 2020, hosting events in the U.S. and his native Russia.
However, according to a new report out of Russia, Nurmagomedov appears to be in some legal trouble in regards to his business activities, and a 300 million rubles (over $3 million USD) debt owed to Russia’s tax authority. News of Nurmagomedov’s unpaid taxes was first reported by Mash (h/t RT) on Telegram.
According to that report, Nurmagomedov had invested in dietary supplements, a restaurant chain, and hotels, as well as Eagle FC and charitable ventures following his retirement. His accounts came under scrutiny after the retired fighter gave up control of some of those businesses, turning over the reigns to family members in some instances.
An investigation by Federal Tax Service of Russia has allegedly resulted in several of Nurmagomedov’s ventures being closed, with Eagle FC reportedly on the chopping block.
The original report by Mash suggests that the monies owed were instead diverted into business interests in Turkey and the UAE, including hotels and start-ups. None of the allegations against Nurmagomedov have been proven; however accounts tied to Eagle FC and Nurmagomedov’s charity fund have been blocked.
