Footballer Ronaldo backs UFC fighter Magomedov to grow to be a champion

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo caught up with UFC fighter Shara Magomedov earlier than Saturday’s big struggle night time in Riyadh.

Sharaputdin Magomedov, one of many headline UFC attracts on the upcoming Struggle Night time 250 in Saudi Arabia this weekend, met soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo on the Al-Nassr staff’s coaching floor in Riyadh.

Magomedov, from Russia, is a lifelong fan of the Portuguese participant and in a video posted on the social media platform X, the 2 made a photograph alternative and had been seen to be playfully jabbing and wrestling with one another on the coaching pitch on Wednesday.

Ronaldo additionally introduced the 30-year-old fighter with a signed Al-Nassr soccer jersey that includes Magomedov’s title.

A particular customer right now at AlNassr! Sharaputdin Magomedov bringing his champion spirit 💪💛 pic.twitter.com/LPiCnuwZ82

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 29, 2025

Ronaldo, recognized to be a giant fan of boxing and MMA, shall be in attendance on the ANB Enviornment in Riyadh on Saturday to assist Magomedov, the Dagestani fighter mentioned on the UFC Struggle Night time 250 media day.

“I met all the staff, and I additionally met Cristiano Ronaldo, and we talked for a few half hour,” Magomedov mentioned on Wednesday.

“He is aware of quite a bit concerning the UFC, and I can inform he’s very well-versed within the sport. He mentioned he’s going to be coming to the struggle and rooting for me. He mentioned I’ve plenty of potential within the sport and that I’m ultimately going to be champion.”

Magomedov, who’s unbeaten in his skilled UFC profession (15-0 MMA, 4-0 in UFC) will face the highly effective Michael Web page of the UK within the co-main occasion at UFC Struggle Night time 250, in what’s the most stacked MMA fighter lineup ever to be assembled within the Center East.

The struggle will precede the principle occasion, pitting former two-time UFC champion Israel Adesanya of New Zealand and France’s rising star, Nassourdine Imavov.