The unbeaten Khabib pocketed £13m through lucrative deals and his submission win against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi.

Axar.az reports citing Forbes that a temporary 13,000-seater arena was built on Yas Island - which hosts the UFC's 'Fight Island' - for Nurmagomedov, who has a huge fan base in the Middle East.

For the win last September he made £8m through his purse, bonuses and share of pay-per-view buys.

More than 26 million people in Russia tuned in on 'First Channel' - a free-to-air station - to watch his fight against Poirier.

Such is his popularity, sponsors have been quick to back the Russian grappler.

Reebok, Toyota, energy drink Gorilla and black cumin oil company Al Hadaya are among Nurmagomedov's sponsorship list.

The lightweight champion has also earned a reported £63,000 for each speaking engagement.