VIDEO: Usman Nurmagomedov rejects handshake from Liz Carmouche, sparks debate

11 October 2023

At Bellator 300, Usman Nurmagomedov displayed his dominance by securing a unanimous decision victory against Brent Primus, successfully defending his lightweight title for the second time. However, what caught the attention of fight fans was Nurmagomedov's unexpected reluctance to shake hands with a fellow fighter during the post-fight ceremony.

Joining champions Cris Cyborg and Liz Carmouche in the cage, Nurmagomedov declined Carmouche's offered handshake, creating a moment that has stirred discussions in the MMA community. The incident was captured in footage posted by @OmerOsman200 on X, revealing Cyborg's intervention as she guided Carmouche to withdraw her extended hand after Nurmagomedov's refusal.

In the X post, the user suggested that Nurmagomedov's refusal might be attributed to religious reasons. The 25-year-old fighter, with an impressive professional record of 18-0 (7-0 in Bellator), is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

On the other hand, Liz Carmouche, boasting a professional record of 20-7, has been a stalwart in the MMA scene since her debut in 2010. She has competed in various major promotions, including UFC and Invicta FC.

ALSO READ | Usman Nurmagomedov better than Khabib and Islam? Javier Mendez thinks so

The post-fight handshake incident has sparked discussions about the potential reasons behind Nurmagomedov's actions and the significance of religious beliefs in such interactions. As the MMA community awaits further insights, Nurmagomedov's decisive win and subsequent actions continue to be a topic of interest and speculation.

At the Bellator 300 Winner’s Circle, Liz Carmouche offered a handshake to Usman Nurmagomedov.

Usman respectfully declined to handshake due to religious reasons. Cris Cyborg made Liz put her hand down ???? pic.twitter.com/XE5wiQybmQ

— ??? ????? ???????? Mike Tyson’s Translator (@OmerOsman200) October 8, 2023