Mumbai: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently attended the UFC 321 event in Abu Dhabi, where an interaction between him and former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov went viral. The video, shared widely on social media, has left fans debating whether Khabib refused to click a selfie with the Bollywood star.
Table of Contents
- The Viral Video: What Actually Happened
- Internet Divided Over Khabib’s Reaction
- Varun Dhawan’s Post from the Event
- Varun Dhawan’s Upcoming Films
- Final Thoughts
The Viral Video: What Actually Happened
The now-viral clip, first posted by That Dubai Page on Instagram, shows Varun Dhawan approaching Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was surrounded by fans taking selfies. In the video, Varun can be seen walking toward the UFC legend, shaking hands with him, and appearing to ask for a picture. Khabib responds briefly, and Varun nods before stepping back politely.
Moments later, Khabib poses for a quick photo with another attendee and leaves the area, sparking online speculation. Some captions claimed, “Khabib declined to take a picture with Varun Dhawan at UFC 321,” leading to a flurry of mixed reactions.
Bollywood star Varun Dhawan spotted at #UFC321 met Khabib Nurmagomedov 🦅🎥
— A͟f͟g͟h͟a͟n͟ A͟r͟m͟y͟ 🏏🇦🇫 (@Mr_Cricketist) October 25, 2025
Via: @Chisanga_Malata pic.twitter.com/6iltERJYhi
Internet Divided Over Khabib’s Reaction
As the video spread across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), fans had contrasting opinions. Some users defended Khabib, saying, “He doesn’t know who Varun is, simple as that,” while others added, “He didn’t refuse; he just didn’t recognize him.”
On the other hand, a few people supported Varun, writing, “The pleasure people get from someone’s insult is strange. Varun didn’t even ask for a selfie — he was just being polite.” Another fan commented, “He met Khabib respectfully. Stop making false assumptions.”
The debate soon turned into a cultural exchange online, with comments like “Reel hero vs real hero” and “Nobody knows Varun Dhawan outside India” adding humor to the situation. The incident also highlighted how quickly social media can misinterpret casual interactions.
Varun Dhawan’s Post from the Event
Ignoring the controversy, Varun Dhawan shared pictures and videos from UFC 321 on his Instagram handle. He captioned the post, “Habibi. A fantastic night at the fights, UFC 321.” He also thanked his hosts, writing on his Instagram Stories, “Thank you to his excellency @salgeziry for the incredible hospitality and the crazy UFC card. See you soon.”
The actor seemed to enjoy his time at the event and did not directly respond to the viral clip, choosing instead to focus on his experience at the championship.
Varun Dhawan’s Upcoming Films
On the work front, Varun Dhawan was last seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, alongside Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film released on October 2 and was well received for its family-friendly storyline and chemistry between the leads.
Next, Varun will be seen in Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh. The much-anticipated film stars Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, and Sonam Bajwa. Border 2 is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 22, 2026, and is expected to be one of the biggest patriotic dramas of the year.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Khabib Nurmagomedov intentionally ignored Varun Dhawan’s selfie request remains unclear. From the video, it appears to be a brief and polite exchange rather than a rejection. Fans, however, continue to debate the moment online.
Regardless of the viral buzz, the interaction highlights how quickly simple gestures can be misunderstood in the social media era. Both stars handled the moment gracefully — Khabib with his calm demeanor, and Varun with his humility.
External Links
- Watch the Viral Video on Instagram
- Varun Dhawan IMDb Profile
- Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC Profile
- Zee News Entertainment Section
