Awkward moment UFC star refuses to shake hands with female TV host explained as it sparks outrage
Topics: Sport, UFC, Film and TV, Social Media, Religion
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: CBS Sports
Topics: Sport, UFC, Film and TV, Social Media, Religion
UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and CBS presenter Kate Abdo have been praised for how 'well' they handled an awkward moment at the Champions League Final.
On Sunday (June 1), Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan went head-to-head in the Champions League Final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Paris Saint-Germain came out victorious, wiping the floor with a final score of 5-0.
However, alongside the record-breaking win, some social media users took to their keyboards in outrage after it seemed UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared to snub CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo when she reached out to shake his hand.
Advert
This is despite Nurmagomedov having shaken the hands of others moments before.
However, Abdo has since apologised - there a very specific reason why Nurmagomedov refused her hand.
Abdo was working the event alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.
Nurmagomedov - a former professional mixed martial artist who was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion ever from April 2018 to March 2021 - appeared as a special guest and embraced others alongside shaking hands, but when he got to Abdo?
Well, Abdo held out her hand for a handshake, but Nurmagomedov declined, holding his hand to his chest instead.
Abdo immediately took back her hand and apologised before welcoming him on the show.
Some people took to social media in outrage, questioning why Nurmagomedov wouldn't shake Abdo's hand. But why did Nurmagomedov refuse and why did Abdo apologise?
Well, Nurmagomedov is a devout Sunni Muslim. And within the religion, it is forbidden in Islamic law for followers to touch a member of the opposite sex who they're not related to.
And people have flooded online to praise how 'well' the pair both handled the slightly awkward moment.
She apologized for offering a handshake.pic.twitter.com/lr8ydMlAvM
— Billboard Chris 🌎 (@BillboardChris) June 1, 2025
One Twitter user said: "Mad respect to Kate for understanding afterwards and issuing an apology."
"They both handled that very well and quickly," a Redditor said.
A third added: "It is out of respect. Notice how he holds his hand to his heart; this is a greeting in itself."
And a final resolved: "This was the most respectful exchange."
It follows Nurmagomedov refusing to directly train with former UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo in 2020.
He agreed to demonstrate certain fight techniques but wouldn't come into direct contact with her on the same basis.