Someone get PETA on the line.
No. 1-ranked lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov has a reputation for extreme training practices, specifically the multiple documented incidents of him wrestling with bears. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Nurmagomedov told the website that he moved on to bringing in lions to focus on improving his striking before his fight with Michael Johnson at UFC 205.
"Two months ago, when I began my last training camp with Michael Johnson, I had a couple of rounds with a lion in Caucasas, south Russia," said Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov didn't get to show much of his standup at UFC 205, as he spent the majority of the fight taking Johnson down and bullying him on the mat. But "The Eagle" made sure to give the lion its proper respect by not saying who got the better of their training session.
"He's my sparring partner, I cannot say I beat him or he beat me," said Nurmagomedov. "This is like a teammate secret."
- With h/t to FOX Sports
