KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV revealed he fears snakes after being pranked by his team-mates – despite being able to wrestle bears and lions.
The 33-year-old is one of the best to ever step into the UFC octagon.
But during his preparations for a bout two years ago, Nurmagomedov’s team-mates pranked the Russian star.
As Khabib was training, a large live snake was brought in by two men in what appears to be a uniform.
They then began chasing everyone around with it.
Khabib was be seen quickly making a dash for it, as his other camp mates were instead confronted with the snake.
Nurmagomedov and his squad were set up in an inside training facility in Abu Dhabi when they were confronted by the reptile.
But as Nurmagomedov explained, the stunt was not initially aimed at him.
He told BT Sport at the time: “Honestly, I don’t like snakes. I like bear, eagle, lion.
“They don’t know about me, they know about other guys, they know about other guys but they don’t bring this to bring pressure on me.”
Nurmagomedov grew up grappling in Dagestan, and legendary pictures revealed the future UFC champion wrestling with bears as a nine-year-old.
But according to the man himself, he was forced to recruit a LION as his secret sparring partner having injured himself going against bears.
He told TMZ Sports in 2016: “I stopped wrestling with bears because last time I was wrestling with him he hurt my ACL.
“No wrestling, but a little bit of sparring, only boxing with lion. Now I have a different plan.
“Yes, two months ago when I’m beginning my last training camp with Michael Johnson, I have couple rounds with lion.
“This is very close matchup, but this is sparring, nobody can see. We no make video no nothing because sparring is secret.”
