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The reigning UFC lightweight champion ranks ahead of other Russian stars like Alexander Ovechkin and Artemi Panarin.
Khabib Nurmasgomedov has once again been ranked as the “most successful” Russian celebrity and athletes under the age of 40.
According to Forbes, the UFC lightweight champion retained his position atop the rankings by amassing an Instagram following of more than 20 million followers and reportedly earning $16.5 million for the financial year ending in April 2020.
Despite his strict policy against sponsoring alcohol, cigarettes, or gambling products and services, Nurmagomedov was able to amass a sponsorship portfolio that included contracts with Reebok, Toyota, Gorilla Energy drink ,and Alhadaya (black cumin oil).
Forbes also reported that Nurmagomedov makes a portion of his income through speaking obligations, for which he charges 5.5. million rubles (approx. $78,000) per session.
Nurmagomedov’s income and social media following puts him ahead of other notable Russian celebrities and figures, including rapper Egor Kreed, Russian hockey great Alexander Ovechkin, New York Rangers player Artemi Panarin, and tennis sensation Daniil Medvedev.
Nurmagoemdov was even ranked ahead of media personality and singer Olga Buzova, who is one of the most successful contemporary Russian entertainers with a following of 21.3 million on Instagram alone.
“It’s always nice when you are first. It doesn’t matter if it’s Instagram, in fights, in business,” Khabib said last year. “I think men will understand me, and women as well. If I’m not mistaken, I think women aim to be first even more than men.”