Former undefeated champion politely declines CBS Sports presenter Kate Scott’s handshake during Champions League coverage due to religious beliefs
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov created an awkward moment during CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage on Saturday when he politely refused to shake hands with broadcaster Kate Scott, while greeting all her male colleagues.
The incident occurred after Paris Saint-Germain’s dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, marking PSG’s first-ever Champions League title.
THE AWKWARD MOMENT
The retired MMA superstar, who boasts an undefeated 29-0 record, was invited to join the CBS Sports panel featuring presenter Kate Scott alongside pundits Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, and internet personality IShowSpeed.
Upon entering the broadcast area, Nurmagomedov warmly greeted each of the male panelists with handshakes and “bro hugs.” However, when Scott extended her hand in greeting, the former UFC lightweight champion kept his hand at his chest and politely declined.
“I apologize, thank you so much,” Scott quickly said, withdrawing her hand and placing it on her chest in a mirroring gesture.
RELIGIOUS REASONS EXPLAINED
The 36-year-old fighter’s actions were not meant as a snub but rather adherence to his religious beliefs. Nurmagomedov is a devout Sunni Muslim from Dagestan, Russia, and follows Islamic customs that prohibit physical contact between men and women who are not related or married.
This religious practice, observed by many Muslims worldwide, extends to all forms of physical contact including handshakes with members of the opposite sex outside of immediate family.
HANDLED WITH GRACE
Despite the potentially uncomfortable situation being broadcast live to millions, both Nurmagomedov and Scott handled the moment with professionalism and mutual respect.
Scott, who has been a key figure in CBS Sports‘ Champions League coverage throughout the season, continued with the interview seamlessly, asking Nurmagomedov about PSG’s historic victory.
The former champion responded respectfully to her questions and participated fully in the discussion, even playfully teasing a potential fight with IShowSpeed when the streamer jokingly questioned whether he could beat him.
MIXED REACTIONS ONLINE
The incident quickly went viral on social media, generating mixed reactions from viewers worldwide.
Many praised both parties for their respectful handling of the situation:
- “They both handled that very well and quickly,” one fan commented
- “Man of principles. She understands,” wrote another
- “Beautiful! Very respectful from Khabib. I love to see this”
- Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology”
However, some viewers expressed discomfort:
- “Forget the handshake—he didn’t even greet her until she reached out,” one critic noted
- A shame she didn’t have the guts to throw the mike in his face,” another controversial comment read
NOT HIS FIRST TIME
This isn’t the first time Nurmagomedov’s religious practices have been observed in professional settings. In 2020, UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo revealed that while Nurmagomedov would demonstrate techniques and provide instruction, he wouldn’t directly train with female teammates due to his religious boundaries.
“It’s a little bit weird because of their religion… they won’t train with women,” Calvillo explained to The Score, adding, “But it doesn’t bother me… because they’re not really being directly rude to me.”
A similar incident occurred at Bellator 300 when Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, respectfully declined to shake hands with fighter Liz Carmouche.
KHABIB’S LEGACY
Nurmagomedov remains one of the most respected figures in MMA history. He was the first Muslim fighter to win a UFC championship and retired at the peak of his career following a submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020.
Since retirement, he has remained active in the sport as a coach and cornerman, notably working with current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov.
KATE SCOTT’S PROFESSIONALISM
Scott, who married Malik Scott in 2024, has earned widespread admiration for her composure and professionalism during the incident. As one of the prominent faces of CBS Sports‘ soccer coverage, she demonstrated cultural awareness and respect by immediately understanding the situation.
The broadcast continued without any further awkwardness, with the atmosphere quickly returning to normal as discussions focused on PSG’s historic Champions League triumph.
CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING IN SPORTS
The incident highlights the importance of cultural and religious awareness in international sports broadcasting. As sports continue to bring together athletes and personalities from diverse backgrounds, such moments serve as reminders of the need for mutual respect and understanding.
While some may view such practices as outdated, many others see them as important expressions of religious faith that deserve respect in professional settings.
The overwhelming consensus among viewers was that both Nurmagomedov and Scott handled what could have been an uncomfortable situation with grace, turning a potentially negative moment into an example of cross-cultural respect in modern sports media.
