Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t just a football icon—he’s also a huge fan of combat sports. The Portuguese superstar was one of the standout guests at UFC Fight Night, held at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While the night featured highly anticipated matchups, including Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov, CR7 had a special reason for attending: supporting his friend Shara Magomedov in his fight against Michael Page.

Ronaldo’s Support for Magomedov

Days before the event, Ronaldo met with Magomedov in a special encounter where they exchanged jerseys and shared their thoughts on the fight. During their chat, the Al-Nassr forward gave his full support to the Russian fighter, assuring him that he had what it takes to become a UFC champion. "Cristiano told me he believes in my potential and that he would come to support me in the fight," Magomedov revealed in an interview.

The Connection Between Football and MMA

Football and mixed martial arts have crossed paths before—stars like Sergio Ramos have closely followed fighters like Ilia Topuria—but having a five-time Ballon d’Or winner in your corner is a different level of backing. Ronaldo's presence was an extra boost for Magomedov, who stepped into the octagon highly motivated to prove himself against a tough opponent like Page.

Beyond his football career, Cristiano has often expressed his admiration for UFC and boxing, frequently attending high-profile combat sports events in Saudi Arabia. His appearance at UFC Fight Night not only highlighted his passion for MMA, but also reinforced his status as one of the most influential figures in global sports.