Russian MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has sparked a controversy after refusing to shake the hands of CBS Sports Presenter Kate Scott. The longest reigning UFC lightweight champion was a guest at the popular UEFA Champions League show on CBS’s UCL Today after the conclusion of the final between PSG and Inter Milan.
Khabib Nurmagomedov joined YouTube celebrity IShowSpeed as a guest on the CBS post-match show. French Football Legend Thierry Henry, Liverpool Legend Jamie Carragher and former English footballer Micah Richards were also present as regulars on UCL Today with Kate Scott.
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov joins the #UCLToday crew 💥 pic.twitter.com/ovSWV4t9bN
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 31, 2025
In the video that was shared by the official X account of CBS Sports Golazo, Khabib Nurmagomedov could be seen entering the scene and giving warm handshakes to the men present. However, when Kate Scott moved her hand forward for a handshake, the MMA fighter refused to shake her hand. Kate Scott quickly offered an apology and moved on with the show.
The awkward moment, however, was not missed by the audience. It soon triggered a massive controversy. While some defended the gesture by Khabib Nurmagomedov, others saw it as a symbolic of a misogynist mindset.
Khabib Nurmagomedov slammed for refusing handshake
British First leader Paul Golding came down heavily on Khabib accusing him of being ‘okay’ with child marriage and Jihad but not shaking hands with women. Golding has a notorious reputation in the United Kingdom and his party is widely accused of fascist and neo-fascist inclinations.
Muslim MMA fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov refuses to shake a woman’s hand. He’s okay with jihad, child marriage and putting women in burkas though 👎
— Paul Golding (@GoldingBF) June 2, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ZkMIYrTIU4
Retired journalist Colin Brazier said that if Muslim men refuse to shake hands with women, then non-Muslim men who are present should reciprocate the gesture and refuse to shake the Muslim man’s hand.
One user asserted that people who refuse to shake hands with a woman should be barred from entering the United States of America.
Muslim man refuses a woman's handshake. How much is a woman worth in Islam?
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) June 2, 2025
Anyone that treats women or others like this should not be allowed in America 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/sOmFB4eZ6g
Daily Express writer Sophie Corcoran stated, “Refusing to shake a woman’s hand but not a man’s, does not show respect for women. It is misogyny of full display and we mustn’t let people twist it. In Britain we treat women and men as equals – and we mustn’t tolerate those who don’t.”
Muslims applaud Khabib for refusing the handshake
Muslims on social media applauded Khabib for refusing the handshake. One user applauded Kate Scott for apologising to the MMA fighter for offering to shake his hand.
Khabib Nurmagomedov following the deen and declined to shake Kate Scott’s hand.
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) May 31, 2025
Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology. 🫡
[via. @CBSSportsGolazo] https://t.co/8c9VDYy7zP pic.twitter.com/U6b0OKJc0s
Another user pointed out that shaking the hands of a woman is considered ‘Haram’ as per Sharia Law. As per Islamic law, touching a woman who is not a ‘Mahram’ is considered unacceptable. A ‘Mahram’ is a female family member with whom marriage is prohibited.
Champions League Final: MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to shake hands with the star CBS Sports female presenter
— Azat (@AzatAlsalim) June 1, 2025
It’s kinda Haram in sharia law!
pic.twitter.com/d6qOcrS1G9
Another user accused those criticising Khabib of being Islamophobes.
even the lady showed respect for Khabib’s response, yet these Islamophobes are needlessly outraged.pic.twitter.com/TBkBqo4WXO
— 𝕶' (@filteredkash_) June 2, 2025
Gazan Political Analyst Muhammad Shaheda claimed that the “obsession” with a “Muslim handshake” is “repulsive”. He pointed out that there was not controversy when a female Israeli singer refused to shake hands with former US President Joe Biden.
The obsession with Muslim handshake traditions is repulsive.
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) January 4, 2025
Here's a female Jewish Israeli singer refusing a handshake with Biden. Would any of those "civilized folks" dare utter a word?
PS. Some EU states literally mandate handshakes of the opposite sex to obtain citizenship pic.twitter.com/PDFLBcZk4Q
Kate Scott will perhaps take some consolation from the fact that she is far from being the only female celebrity who has found herself in the midst of a handshake controversy. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales and wife of heir apparent Prince William, found herself in an embarrassing situation when her offer of a handshake was refused by Muslim Community leaders in London.
