Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has doubled down on his criticism of ring girls, saying there is “no reason” for them.
Earlier this year, the undefeated MMA legend labelled the UFC Octagon girls as “the most useless people in martial arts”.
The comments sparked heated reaction from the star’s rivals as well as Octagon girl Arianny Celeste. However, the Dagestani isn’t backing down from his original take, telling RT Today: “Everybody has their own views on something.
“For example, a couple of months ago someone spoke about my own promotion, Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), and asked why there are no ring girls there.
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“I said it is because, in my opinion, there is no reason (for them).
“Some people don’t agree with this, but who cares? I don’t care because I have my opinion.”
While having ring girls at combat sports events has long been a part of the furniture in boxing and MMA, their presence has garnered scrutiny in recent times.
Even though their presence makes some uncomfortable, the Octagon girls have been inundated with support by fans and fighters in the promotion since Khabib’s scathing comments.
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko posed for photos with the ring girls after her win over Lauren Murphy at UFC 266 last month. She posted the photo online with the caption: ‘Beauty will save the world.’
“Beautiful women is a decoration of any event,” she said. “I want people to know that, and no one has the right to say they are useless, because they are in the place where they have to be.”
Celeste, who has built a formidable online profile since joining the promotion in 2006, asked for “respect” in a lengthy message to her followers last month.
“For 15 years we have been more than just ring girls — we have dedicated time in promoting UFC and showing love and time to our diehard fans through touring the world and personal appearances,” Celeste wrote.
“And while the world is very different right now, I can still feel that energy and love every time we have a show with an audience.
“It’s taken me 15 years of hard work, dedication, and time to be: A bad a– independently wealthy female; A real estate investor and owner of not just 1 but 3 homes/properties … and a female who is not afraid to take risks and build for my future.
“You can call us useless, but to people like me who have worked this hard, it slips right off my shoulders. My life is too good to be unhappy.
“You don’t have to like me, but you will respect me.”
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