Thread by @alexscaffidi_, For those who don't mind being informed fans, this will be a [...]

For those who don't mind being informed fans, this will be a thread of articles on Khabib Nurmagomedov's affiliations with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. #UFC254

Feature: How Ramzan Kadyrov uses his relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov for geopolitical diplomacy #UFC254

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/6/13/18662837/chechen-expansion-ramzan-kadyrov-ufc-champ-khabib-nurmagomedov-politics-karim-zidan-mma-feature

Feature: How Kadyrov uses his relationship with Khabib for geopolitical diplomacy

Karim Zidan delves into the ongoing relationship between Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov and UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as the potential for the dictator to use him for political gain.

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/6/13/18662837/chechen-expansion-ramzan-kadyrov-ufc-champ-khabib-nurmagomedov-politics-karim-zidan-mma-feature

All the Champion’s Men: A look at the shady figures linked to UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov #UFC254

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2018/9/21/17886960/ufc-feature-khabib-nurmagomedov-conor-mcgregor-shady-kadyrov-magomedov-abdelaziz-karim-zidan-mma

All the Champion’s Men: A look at the shady figures linked to UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov

Karim Zidan delves into the shady figures currently linked to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2018/9/21/17886960/ufc-feature-khabib-nurmagomedov-conor-mcgregor-shady-kadyrov-magomedov-abdelaziz-karim-zidan-mma

Feature: Chechen critic’s murder calls attention to UFC’s ties to Kadyrov #UFC254

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/2/12/21133453/murder-chechen-critic-ufcs-ties-ramzan-kadyrov-mma-news-crime-politics-putin-sports

Feature: Chechen critic’s murder calls attention to UFC’s ties to Kadyrov

Karim Zidan delves into the latest assassination of a Chechen critic and how the bloody incident indirectly calls attention to the UFC’s longstanding relationship with Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov.

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/2/12/21133453/murder-chechen-critic-ufcs-ties-ramzan-kadyrov-mma-news-crime-politics-putin-sports

Khabib Nurmagomedov poses with Ramzan Kadyrov after ‘gay purge’ reports #UFC254

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/2/6/18213845/ufc-champ-khabib-nurmagomedov-poses-ramzan-kadyrov-gay-purge-reports-mma-crime-dictator

Khabib poses with Kadyrov after ‘gay purge’ reports

The UFC lightweight champion posted the picture with Kadyrov on his personal Instagram account, as well as a second one of his father being gifted a new car by the Chechen dictator.

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/2/6/18213845/ufc-champ-khabib-nurmagomedov-poses-ramzan-kadyrov-gay-purge-reports-mma-crime-dictator

Why the UFC's 'sportswashing' of Chechnya’s dictator is a problem #UFC254

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/29/ramzan-kadyrov-ufc-chechnya-dictator

Why the UFC's 'sportswashing' of Chechnya’s dictator is a problem

The presence of Ramzan Kadyrov in the front row of a UFC show highlights a troubling link between the Chechen strongman and the MMA promotion

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/sep/29/ramzan-kadyrov-ufc-chechnya-dictator

I'll end with two podcast episodes that are must-listens for this week with @ZidanSports #UFC254

@philipoconnor: Sports & Politics (Khabib Nurmagomedov and Ramzan Kadyrov) https://open.spotify.com/episode/5KkJvQYCbQ2Slbn0iklcdv?si=s3SXzB1HSXayJLHslsH9qQ

@TheBashMMA: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Sportswashing (16:50) https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ldtWv2GqivePT8Kb5FZQz?si=CJzmqwp2Qye9cjzicO5XLA

Living Life Looking Over Your Shoulder - Karim Zidan On Covering Sport And Politics - Our Man In...

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5KkJvQYCbQ2Slbn0iklcdv?si=s3SXzB1HSXayJLHslsH9qQ

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