Awkward moment: UFC star’s refusal to shake hands with a female TV host has caused anger

Lilit

UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and CBS broadcaster Kate Abdo have been lauded for handling an unpleasant moment during the Champions League Final ‘well.’

On Sunday (June 1), Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan faced off in the Champions League Final in Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Paris Saint-Germain won by a score of 5-0.

However, in addition to the record-breaking victory, several social media users expressed displeasure after it looked like UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov snubbed CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo when she reached out to shake his hand.

This is despite Nurmagomedov shaking the hands of others minutes before.

However, Abdo has now apologized, explaining that Nurmagomedov denied her hand for an exceptional reason.

Nurmagomedov declined to shake Abdo’s hand due to an uncomfortable situation.

Abdo worked the event with Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards.

Nurmagomedov, a former professional mixed martial artist who was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion from April 2018 to March 2021, appeared as a special guest and embraced others while shaking hands, but what about Abdo?

Abdo extended her hand for a handshake, but Nurmagomedov rejected it, keeping his hand to his chest instead.

Abdo quickly retracted her hand and apologized before allowing him on the show.

Some fans turned to social media in indignation, asking why Nurmagomedov refused to shake Abdo’s hand. But why did Nurmagomedov reject, and why did Abdo apologize?

Nurmagomedov is a devoted Sunni Muslim. Furthermore, Islamic law forbids believers from interacting with a non-connected member of the opposite sex.

People have flooded social media with admiration for how ‘perfectly’ the duo handled the rather awkward occasion.

Social media response

According to one Twitter user, “Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology.”

“They both handled that very well and quickly,” one Redditor said.

A third said, “It’s out of respect.” Take note of how he lifts his hand to his heart; this is a greeting in itself.

And finally: “This was the most respectful exchange.”

It comes after Nurmagomedov declined to train directly with former UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo in 2020.

He promised to display specific fighting tactics but would not engage directly with her on the same terms.

Post Views: 671