Khabib Nurmagomedov has caused a stir on social media for refusing to shake the hand of CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo after Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final.
The MMA legend joined iShowSpeed on the network’s panel, with the two coming on as guests after Paris Saint-Germain beat Inter Milan 5-0 on the day.
Abdo usually appears alongside co-hosts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards, but they welcome guests regularly.
Khabib joined the post-match coverage after the lopsided affair and shook hands with everyone except Kate, who extended a hand to him but had it refused as the fighter put a hand to his chest instead.
Kate quickly apologized, having realized her mistake.
You can check out the interaction in the video below:
Champions League Final: MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake hands with the star CBS Sports female presenter
— Azat (@AzatAlsalim) June 1, 2025
It’s kinda Haram in sharia law!
pic.twitter.com/d6qOcrS1G9
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Khabib hails from Russia but is a Sunni Muslim. As such, he tries to abide by Sharia law, which prohibits men and women from making physical contact unless they are related or married.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Refusal To Shake Hands With Female Reporter Sparks Plenty Of Reactions
The clip generated lots of comments online.
“That’s his culture. Nothing wrong with that,” a user said.
That’s his culture .
— _ Helmut_ 75 (@darcy_lang48723) June 1, 2025
Nothing wrong with that .
“Man of principles. She understands,” said another.
Man of principles. She understands.
— Revolutionary Frog (@John_Hopcock) June 1, 2025
Of course, everyone didn’t feel the same way.
“A shame she didn’t have the guts to throw the mike in his face and walk off the set. She deserved better,” someone else claimed.
A shame she didn’t have the guts to throw the mike in his face and walk off the set.
— Algarve Pilot (@PilotAlgar25257) June 1, 2025
She deserved better.
I’m sure someone would have recognised her integrity and handed her a better career.
Kate didn’t seem offended, and the show carried on like it usually would after Khabib Nurmagomedov settled in. He even teased a fight with Speed after the streamer questioned whether he could beat him.
Also Read: Paris Looked Like A War Zone After PSG’s Champions League Victory
