CRISTIANO RONALDO has backed Khabib Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Unbeaten Khabib headlines Fight Island next weekend against interim champion Gaethje in a lightweight unification.
Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in 2018 with UFC champion Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: Refer to Caption
Ronaldo backed Nurmagomedov to ‘of course’ beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254
Juventus forward Ronaldo, 35, was asked to predict the outcome of the title fight.
And the Portugal icon – currently self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus – has tipped Nurmagomedov, 32, to retain his crown.
Ronaldo answered on an Instagram live stream: “Of course, of course, Khabib is going to win!
“My brother! Inshallah!”
The two mega-stars previously met in 2018, where the pair posed together and Nurmagomedov held up a Real Madrid shirt.
Ronaldo is a UFC fan and previously trained with Russian Khabib’s former opponent and rival Conor McGregor, 32.
McGregor and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner met up in Las Vegas in 2016.
Ronaldo then invited the Irishman and his trainer John Kavanagh to Jennifer Lopez’s party.
McGregor and five-time Ballon d’Or Ronaldo met up in Las Vegas in 2016Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
McGregor pictured with Jennifer Lopez at her party Credit: Refer to Caption
Kavanagh told the Irish Independant: “We’re all there thinking: ‘How can Ronaldo invite us to this gig? Who’s going to be there?’
“Even in the car as we’re driving in: ‘Wait! This a terrible mistake. We’re going to walk in here and be thrown out by some security guard!’
“We go in and J-Lo catches his [McGregor’s] eye and comes running over like a schoolgirl: “Oh! Conor McGregor! Thank you for coming. Let’s dance!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk