It would appear that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has now plans to back down from his support of Russian billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov.
Ziyavudin Magomedov has been arrested for allegedly “organization of a criminal community,” the embezzlement of over 2 billion rubles and fraud. The oligarch’s offer to pa his $35 million bond was rejected by the judge and has since been detained until May 30.
An investigation is underway to determine if Magomedov is guilty of embezzling money during the construction of a World Cup Stadium in Kaliningrad, as Magomedov’s Summa Group earned the rights to build the structure in 2014.
According to Magomedov’s lawyer, Khabib Nurmagomedov has since joined a list comprised of several athletes that are each vouching for the billionaire’s release from jail.
Back at UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov made sure to voice his thoughts on the billionaire’s arrest aswell.
“Our elder brother, co-owner of our team Ziyavudin Magomedov, is in a difficult situation. He was very helpful to me and other athletes from Russia. Now he has problems, but I want him to know that we, the athletes, are praying for him. I believe that this situation will soon be resolved. I hope that our leader Vladimir Putin will help him. I want to congratulate him on the victory in the last election.”
