UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has called out gaming as a “waste of life” and said if he were a certain esports star’s brother, he would break his computer.
The undefeated Russian MMA star said gaming was a waste of life, urging racing driver and sim racer Cem Bolukbasi to join a gym instead.
In comments on Anatomy of a Fighter, Khabib told Bolukbasi, “If you’re my brother, I am gonna break your computer. He is one who became successful, but how many millions struggle? How many people spent their best years, 17-27, on computer games?”
Bolukbasi won the inaugural championship of the Formula Renault Esport Series in 2020, but he now drives real cars, competing as a driver in the European Le Mans Series. He has also driven as a Formula 2 driver.
Khabib Admits To Being ‘Hater’ Of Gaming
Bolukbasi argued that sport is a tougher area to break through than gaming, telling Khabib, “In sport, only one or two make it.”
But Khabib insisted the benefits far outweigh gaming, adding, “In sports you get healthy… In computer games your mind changes, come on, there’s no education there, I’m a big hater. When you come to the gym, even you don’t become a UFC champion, at least you meet people.”
Bolukbasi said he used to play game simulators for up to 12 hours a day, which helped hone his racing skills. He also emphasized the mental side of sport over the physical, saying 60% is mental and 40% is physical.
Khabib admitted his comments could anger gamers, commenting that computer game fans would be “coming for me now.”
Fellow UFC Fighter Endorses Esports
Khabib is unlikely to follow his compatriot and fellow UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev, who became an ambassador for esports team Nigma Galaxy last year.
The fighter has switched allegiance from Russia to the UAE and is promoting the growth of esports in the region.
When signing the deal, Chimaev commented, “The same mindset that drives me in the Octagon can help shape champions in esports too.”
Khabib, however, believes esports and physical sports are vastly different. His cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, was a gaming partner of MMA fighter Demetrious Johnson. Khabib said he broke Abubakar’s computer after he lost a UFC fight, attributing the loss to playing too many video games.
Gambling Also Ruining Young Men, Says Khabib
In addition to criticizing gaming, Khabib has also been a vocal critic of gambling in sport, claiming it ruins families and is worse than alcohol, which he is also against.
He has vowed never to accept gambling sponsorships, commenting, “I believe that gambling is more dangerous than alcohol. I think it’s worse to advertise gambling more than alcohol. Bookmakers ruin entire families. How many young guys go on their sites, stay on them, and become addicted?”
In that respect, he aligns with another esports star. Two-time Call of Duty world champion Jordan “Jkap” Kaplan also said he believes sports gambling is ruining a generation of young men.