It’s been a bad couple of weeks for former UFC lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In May, reports surfaced claiming that Nurmagomedov owed the Russian Federal Tax Service $3.3 million in back taxes. As a result, the FTS froze multiple bank accounts associated with the Hall of Famer’s businesses and charities.
Russian tax authorities have SEIZED all bank accounts of Khabib Nurmagomedov due to his debt of over 3 million dollars.
per Russian Media MASH pic.twitter.com/JzaJZMgTnd
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 1, 2024
According to Russian online news outlet Mash and REN TV, ‘The Eagle’ has now seen his personal bank accounts frozen by the country due to “inconsistencies” over his tax details. The FTS seemingly confirmed the decision on its website, stating, “There are valid decisions on suspension for the specified taxpayer.”
Though he has not yet commented on the latest turn of events, Nurmagomedov’s representatives denied the initial accusations of tax evasion.
“The information about tax debt is inaccurate. Khabib continues to engage in business projects and develop them,” the statement read, as reported by the TASS news agency.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Condemns Terrorist Attack in Dagestan
The seizure of his bank accounts is just the latest in a series of tough situations for the undefeated MMA icon. On June 23, a horrific terrorist attack occurred in Nurmagomedov’s hometown leaving more than 20 people dead.
Speaking with Red Corner MMA, Nurmagomedov condemned the perpetrators of the attack, saying:
“Going into a church and killing someone just because they practice a different religion. Do I really need to condemn this? Isn’t it clear that this is a brutal and inhumane act? Where and when has something like this [been normal]. In Dagestan, over 30 nationalities, and of course, the majority practice Islam, but we also have Jews and Christians. This has never happened in 30-35 years, as long as I’ve lived in Dagestan.
“People were being killed five minutes away from my home. How can this be normal? My children live there, my brother, my relatives they’re five minutes away from that place. I was getting calls until morning. They were saying people were being killed and that there are some [anti]-terrorist operations going on.”
Of the six militants who reportedly executed the attacks in the city of Derbent and the Dagestan capital of Makhachkala, one of them was identified as Gadzhimurad Kagirov, a 2-0 fighter who previously trained at Nurmagomedov’s gym and under the tutelage of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s late father.
On June 28, Russian security forces raided Nurmagomedov’s gym in Makhachkala. Law enforcement officers reportedly identified several fighters connected with the extremist after spending two days questioning those in attendance.
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“A check of the documentation is being conducted,” a law enforcement source told Interfax. “It is connected with the terrorist attacks that took place in Makhachkala and Derbent. One of the liquidated fighters had previously trained in this club.”
Nurmagomedov disputed reports that Kagirov was ever a member of the Eagles MMA fight club.
“The terrorist is not our student, that is absolute nonsense, it’s not true,” Nurmagomedov said. “Yes, he had a camp at the gym at some point, maybe for a couple of months. But he was never part of the team.”
