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UFC legend Khabib names his five favourites to win Champions League but snubs holders Chelsea

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FOOTIE-mad UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has named his favourites for this year’s Champions League – but he’s snubbed current trophy holders Chelsea.

The retired MMA fighter turned promoter is an avid fan of the beautiful game and does his utmost to attend big matches when he can.

UFC legend Khabib has named his five contenders to win this year’s Champions LeagueCredit: INSTAGRAM
But the Russian has snubbed current holder ChelseaCredit: GETTY

The topic of who would win this year’s Champions League was put to the Russian last Friday after Eagle FC’s inaugural American event in Miami.

And the self-confessed Real Madrid fan tipped some familiars clubs to be in contention to win Europe’s elite club competition at the end of the season.

Nurmagomedov, 33, told the assembled media: “There are several teams.

“It happens that some people start the season weakly, but then gain momentum, it happens the other way around.

“I don’t know how it will be. But if I had to choose, I would list Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid as my favorites.

“And, of course, you should never forget about Bayern. Here are the five commands.

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“Now PSG will play with Real Madrid. It’s very difficult to choose.”

Last May, Nurmagomedov revealed his encyclopedic knowledge of Europe’s premier club competition by correctly naming the winners of the tournament for the last 16 years.

He told UFC flyweight and AKA team-mate Manel Kape: “2005, Liverpool. 2006, Barcelona. 2007, Milan.”

When Kape tried to interrupt him, Nurmagomedov said: No “listen, brother. 2008, Manchester United. 2009, Barcelona.

“2010, Inter. 2011, Barcelona, 2012, Chelsea. 2013, Bayern Munich. 2014, Real Madrid. 2015, Barcelona.

“2016, 2017, 2018, Real [Madrid]. 2019, Liverpool. 2020, Bayern Munich.”

After Kape told coach Javier Mendez that the former UFC lightweight champion only knew about ‘results’, Nurmagomedov said: “No, no, no if you don’t know nothing about football you don’t know how to play.

Retired MMA star Khabib has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern-day Champions League historyCredit: GETTY

“You have to understand the game.

“Please Manel. Please. Coach, listen, if you don’t know nothing about the sport, how do you know how to play the sport? How? This is impossible.”

The knockout stages of the Champions League will get underway a week on Tuesday, with PSG and Sporting Lisbon facing Real Madrid and Manchester City in the first leg of their respective last-16 ties.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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