Producer Apologizes For Racy Play After Khabib Nurmagomedov Expresses Disgust

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is not happy about a recent ‘filth” play in his native Dagestan.

Nurmagomedov’s Beef

Nurmagomedov took to Instagram on Tuesday to express his disgust. The champion posted a picture of women in lingerie seducing a man dressed in a suit sitting on a folding chair. He also criticized the play, Hunting for Men, calling it “filth” and demanding to know why the play was being shown in his native Dagestan.

While Nurmagomedov has since removed the Instagram post and replaced it with a solid black image, you can view the original post below.

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“Why is the leadership in Dagestan keeping quiet,” Nurmagomedov said. “Where are the deputies of the people’s assembly. Where are the heads of the regions, where are the deputy minister and ministers themselves?” Nurmagomedov stated. “What, you are all keeping quiet, they called this performance ‘Hunting for Men’. It’s a direct insult to us… Be men, at least someone speak out.”

“My advice to the leadership of Dagestan, organize an investigation. And the organizers receive punishment according to the law and apologize to the people. And in future for this never to be repeated, that events of this type are controlled at the level of the ministers and leaders of the Republic,” added Nurmagomedov.

The Producer Apologizes

As a result of Nurmagomedov airing his grievances with his some 13.7 million Instagram followers, the producer of the play, Ivan Zhidko has been threatened on social media. And the fallout in Dagestan has been sizable.

Because of that, Zhidko took to social media to issue an apology.

“On behalf of the creative group of the project, I apologize for any unintended offense to people in Dagestan,” Zhidkov wrote. “The performance was in no way intended to show ‘indecency.’ It’s a classic Italian play, which has been performed around the world for many years. The bed scene [referred to by Khabib] is part of the performance. We did not suspect that it could cause such resonance. [My direct messages] are littered with threats. I understand that this is the answer to our intended offence, but still…,”

“Different people have their traditions and foundations. And we respect that. But we did not take into account that everything was so strict. They invited us, and we came with pleasure. What happened, I think, makes one think about the censorship of many who want to organize a concert or performance in Dagestan.”

However, Nurmagomedov, a devout Muslim, isn’t satisfied with an apology and still demands someone is held responsible.

“I want to address the government of Dagestan. If you think that everything will end in posts on social media, you are wrong. Take action in time,” he wrote, adding a hashtag that translated to “Dagestan wake up.”