“Reel Sultan vs Real Sultan” Salman Khan meets UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov in Dubai, internet loses it

Bollywood and combat sports don’t usually mix, but when they do, the internet goes wild. Salman Khan and Khabib Nurmagomedov—two absolute icons in their own spaces—met in Dubai, and fans haven’t stopped talking about it.
Salman’s bodyguard, Shera, shared a photo of the two on Instagram with the caption, “Two legends, one frame!” That was enough to send social media into a frenzy. Fans of both stars rushed to comment, some hyping up the crossover, others making jokes about Salman’s on-screen MMA stint in Sultan vs. Khabib’s actual, undefeated fighting career. Either way, the photo spread like wildfire.

Most know Khabib Nurmagomedov for his dominance in the octagon, but fewer know he’s a huge Bollywood fan. In a 2022 podcast, Khabib admitted he watches Indian movies and even has a favorite actor. “Like Indian movies, like Bollywood. Of course, I watch,” he said before revealing that Shah Rukh Khan is his top pick.
For a guy who spent years smashing opponents inside the UFC cage, Khabib’s softer side surprises many. His admiration for Bollywood, especially Shah Rukh Khan, adds another layer to his personality—one that contrasts with the intense, no-nonsense fighter the world saw in the octagon.
Shah Rukh Khan, often called the "King of Bollywood," has a fanbase that stretches far beyond India, and Khabib is proof of that. At the time of Khabib’s viral interview, Shah Rukh was on a break from films, but fans were eagerly waiting for his comeback with Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki.

Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA in 2020 with an untouchable 29-0 record. His final fight, a submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history. Since retiring, he has focused on coaching and promoting, guiding his protégé, Islam Makhachev, to UFC gold. He also runs Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), making moves outside the cage while still staying close to the fight game.
Salman Khan, on the other hand, remains one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. His next big release, Sikandar, hits theaters on Eid, with Rashmika Mandanna as his co-star. There’s also buzz about him working on a Hollywood project in Saudi Arabia, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Khabib-Salman meetup might not mean much beyond a viral photo, but it’s proof of how global fanbases collide. Whether you're into Bollywood or MMA, seeing two legends in the same frame is always going to get people talking.