Controversy! Arman Tsarukyan claims Khabib's gym was paid for by Putin; former fighter responds.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a former UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/khabib_nurmagomedov

Even though he's been away from the octagon since 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov still manages to attract the attention of the MMA world from time to time. After announcing the construction of a new Training Center in Dagestan, the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) found himself "accused" by Arman Tsarukyan last Wednesday (29). In an interview with the 'PBD' podcast, the fighter said that one of the Eagle's ventures was courtesy of none other than Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia.

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According to Tsarukyan, Russia has a national policy of promoting the development of sports and personalities who have contributed to the nation in some way. In this context, he said that Vladimir Putin would have taken responsibility for covering the costs of the last academy inaugurated by the former champion.

“Khabib was paid for his academy. Putin built an academy for him. If you are a fighter or wrestler, they take care of you because you did something for your country,” stated the Armenian, who in early 2025 was scheduled for a rematch against Islam Makhachev with the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) at stake.

Arman Tsarukyan says Putin made a gym for Khabib in Russia for his contributions to sports in the country.💪👏

"Khabib got paid for his gym. Putin built a gym for him. If you're a fighter or wrestler, they take care of you because you did something for your country."

(via… pic.twitter.com/0lRMNekZeJ

— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) April 29, 2026

Khabib denied Tsarukyan's claim.

Makhachev, Khabib, Umar and Usman backstage at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

After the incident gained attention, the Armenian's statement ended up on Nurmagomedov's timeline, who quickly and categorically denied the claim. Without mentioning the Russian president's name, the Eagle said he had built the Training Center with his own financial resources.

"That's absolutely not true. Nobody ever paid my bills or built gyms for me," the former champion retorted in a social media post.

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