Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says his public support for Palestine has led to financial losses, claiming that several companies ended or declined sponsorship agreements with him and other members of his team.

Nurmagomedov made the remarks during a public appearance in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 8. The event, The Legacy Continues, was held at Newark Symphony Hall and organized by the U.S.-based Islamic educational organization Miftaah Institute. The programme included a conversation with Nurmagomedov followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

According to Nurmagomedov, the consequences extended beyond himself to fellow Dagestani fighters, including UFC champion Islam Makhachev and Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. He said several sponsorship agreements were terminated or never materialized because of the team's outspoken support for Palestine.

Nurmagomedov said neither he nor his teammates intended to change their position despite the financial consequences, arguing that the loss of sponsorship income was insignificant compared with the human cost of the conflict.

He did not identify the companies that allegedly withdrew their support or disclose the value of the lost contracts. No public statements from current or former sponsors have emerged confirming that commercial relationships ended because of the fighters' views on Palestine.

Videos circulating online on Aug. 9 and 10 confirm that Nurmagomedov spoke publicly about losing sponsorship contracts and business opportunities.

Longstanding support for Palestine

Nurmagomedov has repeatedly voiced support for Palestinians.

In June 2024, during UFC 302 in New Jersey, he approached then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and said: "I know you will stop the war in Palestine."

Trump replied: "We will stop it. I will stop the war."

Islam Makhachev has also publicly expressed support for Palestine. After defeating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October 2023, he said he chose not to celebrate his title defence because of the war in Gaza.

"Palestine, we are with you," Makhachev said after the fight. At the post-fight press conference, he again spoke about the deaths of civilians and children in Gaza, remarks that received widespread international media coverage.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Nurmagomedov has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Support for Palestine has become a prominent part of the public profile of his team, which includes several of Dagestan's leading mixed martial artists competing in major promotions.

Nurmagomedov's latest comments come as his team remains among the sport's elite. Makhachev continues to rank among the UFC's top active fighters, while Usman Nurmagomedov competed again in the United States earlier this month. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated in 2020 with a professional record of 29-0, now works as a coach and mentor to a new generation of Dagestani fighters.

The Newark event where Nurmagomedov made the remarks also had commercial partners. According to the organizers, sponsorship packages for the event ranged from $2,500 to $50,000.