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Moskow (AP) – UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is probably the best-known Muslim athlete in Russia, and he's fast becoming a leading conservative voice at home.
Nurmagomedov called for a crackdown on a local night in his mostly-Muslim home region of Dagestan.
"What good do these nightclubs bring to our society?" Nurmagomedov posted Monday on Instagram, where he has more than 13 million followers.
Nurmagomedov, who lives in an alcohol-free lifestyle, beat UFC opponent Conor McGregor last month and helped cause the subsequent brawl, further raising his already-high profile at home.
On Monday, he reposted a video by Dagestani actress Eldar Iraziev calling for nightclubs to be closed, saying he "absolutely" supports that message. In his video, Iraziev condemns nightclubs for "alcohol like a river, depraved women and in the end there are shootings."
It's not the first time Nurmagomedov has voiced the disapproval of other people's nightlife choices.
"All alcoholics will have the same end," he wrote after a fight against McGregor, who had lambasted him for refusing an offer of whiskey.
In August, Nurmagomedov posted a video of a largely-female crowd singing along at a hip-hop concert with the comment: "Modern Dagestan. Is this really what our revered ancestors left us to inherit?"
The Muslim peoples of Russia's North Caucasus are often marginalized economically and socially in Russia, with higher levels of poverty than the national average and generally conservative views on issues like women in the workforce. The region's passion for combat sports offers a way to fame – and a audience for their views.
Nurmagomedov has repeatedly met with the authoritarian ruler of the neighboring region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. Authorities in Chechnya heavily restrict the sale of alcohol, promote an Islamic dress code for women and have been accused of human rights abuses including torture of gay men.
Nurmagomedov's stance on nightclubs has been echoed by Olympic wrestling champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev, nicknamed the "Russian Tank" for his strength in the ring.
"My dear brothers and countrymen," Sadulaev wrote to his Instagram audience of 650,000 after Sunday's shooting, which officials have blamed on suspects including a former martial arts champion. "We are mountain men who call ourselves the Muslims there are nothing in these seedy places (nightclubs) for us except harm … For us, there is no place for these clubs."
So far, there's no sign of a crackdown on nightlife. Regional Youth Minister Kamil Saidov told the Govorit Moskva radio station that Sunday's shooting was "an everyday conflict" and said there should be better security, not closures.
"If we do not have places for young people to relax (they'll leave Dagestan)," he said.
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