The football world is still reeling from Real Madrid's decision to sack Xabi Alonso following their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona. But perhaps no one is more upset than UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
'The Eagle' isn't just a casual fan. He's a die-hard Madridista who regularly attends matches at the Bernabéu. And he's made it crystal clear on Instagram that he thinks Real Madrid got this one completely wrong.
Khabib didn't hold back in his Instagram stories, launching a passionate defense of the former coach. He went straight for the players, calling them out for what he sees as unprofessional behavior. This is the same Khabib who was at the 2025 Champions League final joking around with coaches, but now he's deadly serious.
Change the Players, Not the Coach
"I think Xabi Alonso is one of the three best coaches in the world today," Khabib wrote in his first story. "If this team did not work well with him, we have to change the players not the coach."
The MMA champion went even further, suggesting no manager could handle the current Real Madrid squad. "We have to get rid of the capricious players," he added bluntly.
Reports suggest that certain Real Madrid players were unhappy with Xabi's training methods and approach. For Khabib, who now coaches himself, this is completely unacceptable. He believes the coach is the boss, period.
"If you come to the gym or the field, it doesn't matter if they are fighters or football players, the boss is the head coach," he explained. His message was clear: if players can't meet the coach's requirements, they're the problem.
Loyalty Means Everything
Khabib didn't stop at one Instagram story. He posted Xabi's emotional farewell from Bayer Leverkusen with another pointed message about loyalty. "A year ago they were begging him, and now they are sacking him for the spoiled children," he wrote.
The timing couldn't be more ironic. Just last year, Real Madrid desperately pursued Xabi Alonso when he was dominating with Leverkusen. Now, after one bad result, he's gone.
For bettors, this drama creates serious uncertainty around Real Madrid's immediate future. Without a settled coach and with apparent dressing room issues, backing Los Blancos in their next few matches looks risky. The odds might not fully reflect the chaos behind the scenes.
Khabib has always been vocal about his love for football. He's even said his real dream was to be a footballer rather than a fighter. He was recently spotted playing paddle tennis with Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta, still joking with him about "Hala Madrid."
This situation puts Khabib firmly in the pro-Xabi camp in what's become a civil war among Real Madrid fans. Some back the players, others support the departed coach. With his coaching experience and warrior mentality, Khabib clearly sees things from the manager's perspective.
One thing's certain: Real Madrid players probably don't want to be on Khabib's bad side. The undefeated UFC champion doesn't do things halfway, whether in the octagon or defending his football club's honor.
