UFC world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov arrives in Sydney

Conor McGregor conqueror and UFC world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov touched down at Sydney airport on Thursday, looking forward to meeting fans and boxing kangaroos.

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‘THE Eagle’ has landed.

UFC lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov touched down at Sydney airport on Thursday flanked by an entourage of private security fit for a rock star. The smallest man in the group, but certainly the most dangerous.

Nurmagomedov became one of the most talked about athletes on the planet for the finale to his October superfight against Conor McGregor, which drew 2.4 million pay-per-view TV subscriptions, the most ever for an MMA event.

After beating McGregor with a fourth-round submission, the Russian jumped out of the Octagon, sparking a brawl with the Irishman’s camp.

Nurmagomedov was greeted by plenty of fans in Sydney. (Jeremy Piper)

But Nurmagomedov, nicknamed “The Eagle”, had forged his fearsome reputation as an unbreakable combat sports star long before his post-fight antics at UFC 229 in Las Vegas.

A video of him as a child wrestling a bear went viral last year.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, Nurmagomedov joked that he fancies his chances against an Australian native animal.

“We’re here for a bit of a vacation to see Australia,” he said. “This is our first time in Australia,” he said.

“I don’t know too much about Australia but I do know about kangaroos.

“Before I was wrestling with a bear. If I can wrestle the bear, then why not box a Kangaroo?,” he laughed.

The fighter was taken aback by his Australian welcome. (Jeremy Piper)

The Dagestani is in town for an Ajaj Events Management promotional tour and Australian UFC fans will get the chance to meet the superstar at a one-off event at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night.

He told The Daily Telegraph he was taken aback by the crowd that turned out at Sydney airport to welcome him.

“A little bit surprised if I’m being honest,” he said. “I know Australians love MMA and they have a lot of fans here but I am a little bit surprised by all the fans who came to the airport. But I’m going to meet with my fans on January 19.”

Nurmagomedov wrestles a bear as a boy. Righto.

Nurmagomedov was the fifth most searched athlete in 2018 according to Google. For context, his nemeses and UFC megastar McGregor was eighth on the list.

But he revealed the notoriety borne out of that infamous night in Las Vegas just over three months ago isn’t something he is always comfortable with.

“After the last fight a lot of things have changed, it was something I liked and it was something I didn’t like,” he said.

Nurmagomedov chases down Conor McGregor in Las Vegas. (Harry How/Getty Images/AFP)

The undefeated fighter also told The Daily Telegraph that he would not actively pursue a title shot in another weight division.

But he did reveal he would be fighting former three-time UFC world champion Georges St-Pierre if the UFC finally introduces its new 165 pounds (75kg) division.

“This is not my goal [to become a double champion] but if I have an opportunity then why not? If the UFC open new weight class in 165 pounds it’s going to be great idea for me. I think if they make 165 we’re going to fight GSP for the title and it’s going to be a very big fight,” he revealed.

He also had a word of warning for our own UFC world champion Robert Whittaker, who will be defending his middleweight belt against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in Melbourne next month.

“Whittaker is a great champion. He beat a lot of good guys. I’m really excited about his next fight, it’s going to be a really big fight for him. Kelvin Gastelum is a very good fighter. You guys cannot underestimate Gastelum,” Nurmagomedov said.

“Maybe Whittaker is a little bit bigger than him but it’s going to be a very tough fight for both guys.”

A night with undefeated UFC Lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Details here: https://khabibsydney.com.au/

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