The undefeated Russian mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov is offered the title of Hero of the Russian Federation - the country's highest state award.

This initiative was made by State Duma deputy Gadzhimurad Omarov.

The representative of "Fair Russia" has already written an appeal addressed to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

According to the parliamentarian, Nurmamegodov, who retired after defeating Justin Gaethje, sets an excellent example for young people and has already become a part of the country's history.

“Khabib, at his still young age, has already inscribed his name in the history of the country, and not only with his sports achievements.

In our difficult time, when the level of morality among young people is rapidly falling, he shows by his example that any boy, if he works hard and trains, can reach incredible heights.

In addition, his attitude towards family and family values ​​deserves deep respect and reverence.

I think that guys like Khabib are worthy role models for the younger generation, because each generation should have its own idols! "

- wrote Omarov on Instagram.

The deputy also posted a photo with a letter to Putin.

In it, Omarov wrote that Nurmagomedov popularizes sports and a healthy lifestyle, and also conducts charitable activities.

In his opinion, the majority of Russian citizens will support the awarding of an honorary title to an athlete.

However, Omarov's colleague, State Duma deputy and three-time Olympic figure skating champion Irina Rodnina, did not agree with him.

“I don’t know, I have no opinion.

Sorry, we have many champions, few Heroes of Russia ... I think this is probably not a reward for athletes ... It is for people who perform some kind of feat.

Nurmagomedov is a professional athlete who showed his work.

This is a job like any professional athlete.

I don’t know, somehow I’m not ready for this.

As they decide, so they decide.

But I didn’t see anything heroic in his actions ”, - quotes Rodnina's words“ Sport-Express ”.

Another representative of the lower house of the Federal Assembly, Vitaly Milonov, is of the same opinion.

“He's a great guy, he fights well.

He has all the regalia that are required for a participant in this kind of competition.

I don't want to offend anyone, but I would not give the Hero of Russia to him.

It is not a good practice to bestow such a title on people who win sports.

If this is not a supernatural, crazy and outstanding act ... Khabib is a great guy, super, we all respect him, but, probably, he himself does not consider himself a person who should bear such a title, ”Milonov told Vechernyaya Moskva.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion Nikolai Valuev also agreed with his colleagues.

He noted that before coming up with such an initiative, Omarov should have read the relevant documents, where it is clearly spelled out what the highest state award can be awarded for.

In turn, former Bellator champion Alexander Shlemenko believes that the UFC champion was engaged in martial arts, including for the sake of money, and was sufficiently rewarded for his successes.

“The title of Hero of the Russian Federation Khabibu, in my understanding, is still too much.

For me, a hero is someone who sacrifices himself for the sake of one or more people.

This is how I was brought up.

Firefighters, people in war who save others.

Maybe there is some kind of gradation ... Yes, Khabib has merits that no one denies.

But this is a commercial sport.

Khabib earned money in it, therefore, I think, is not very suitable for this title.

But for me, heroes, for example, those who fought in the Chechen campaign.

There, many of them received this title posthumously ", - quotes the fighter" Championship ".

The former boxer Kostya Tszyu also expressed bewilderment about awarding the title to Nurmagomedov.

In his opinion, it is enough to award athletes with sports titles.

“Hero of Russia?

For what?

Honored Master of Sports - this is understandable, not even discussed.

And the title of Hero of Russia ... I don't understand, no matter how much I respect Khabib and everything that he does.

These are incomparable things, "Tszyu said in a conversation with Sport24.

Until now, only three athletes have been awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

The first was skier Lyubov Egorova.

She received the Gold Star after three victories at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Two years later, the wrestler Alexander Karelin, who won the third Olympic gold in the heavyweight division, became the Hero of Russia.

In 1998, another skier Larisa Lazutina, who also won three victories at one Olympics, received the country's highest award.

Since then, many athletes have shown equally outstanding results, but did not receive the highest state award.