Khabib Nurmagomedov is inarguably the GOAT of pentagon, and has taken down every opponent in his path. But this time, he is fighting a new war, against video games. Recently, while talking to former F1 Esports driver Cem Bölükbaşı, the former UFC Lightweight Champion didn’t pull any punches and labelled himself a “big hater” of the gaming industry.
According to Khabib, he sees playing video games as a massive waste of human potential. He claimed video games not only waste precious time, but they also decay one’s social and physical health.
Khabib Claimed Gaming Takes Away Best Yeas Of Life
Khabib argued that the main issue with playing games is the sheer amount of time it demands during a person’s prime. He pointed out that millions of young people spend the “best years” of life, 17 to 27, sticked to screens with very little to show for it.
Additionally, he also claimed that gaming detaches you from social circles and reduces the physical interaction.
“This is social, you know, you meet people. But when you’re sitting playing computer games, your mind is changed,” Khabib stated. “Come on. There is no education. Even when you come to the gym, even if you don’t become a UFC champion, at least you know people. But computer games… come on, I’m a big hater.”
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Khabib also argued that physical sports helps maintaining your health and keeps the networking alive, something that gaming simply cannot match.
Cem Bölükbaşı countered Khabib and gave a different perspective. For fans who don’t know, Cem transitioned to real-world Formula 2 after making a name for himself in F1 eSports. He argued that the modern esports scene is more professional and social than Khabib thinks. Big names such as Red Bull, Porsche, and more are diving into the esports and have even opened dedicated training facilities with full coaching staffs, giving pro players a socially active environment every day.
Bölükbaşı also noted that in genres like sim racing, helps build the skills that actually do translate to the real world. However, Khabib stuck to his word and joked that if Bölükbaşı were his brother, he would have smashed his computer long ago to get him into a gym instead. The Eagle said, “Can you imagine if you’re my brother? I’m going to break your computer. How many millions struggle? How many millions of people spend their 10 best years of life, from 17 to 27, spending their life on computer games?”
Khabib’s Peers Love To Play Video Games
Even though Khabib has come out as hardcore “anti-gaming,” his fellow fighters have different views on gaming. In 2025, UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev was signed as a brand ambassador for the esports org Nigma Galaxy. Chimaev has been actively promoting gaming in the UAE, and has been seen playing ‘Dota.’
Subsequently, Khabib also shared an incident about his cousin, Abubakar Nurmagomedov. Khabib revealed his cousin used play video games frequently with former UFC Flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. He also jokingly blamed Johnson for his cousin losing a UFC fight because they spent too much time playing together. Khabib later eventually smashed Abubakar’s computer to make sure he gets back to training
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It is obvious that people will disagree with Khabib for his take. But for a man who built his legacy on the most grueling physical discipline imaginable, the gaming will always be a “waste of life” for him as compared to sweating in the gym.
