The UFC star has partnered with DIA Holding to launch LuzOra Residences on Dubai Islands.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has never been short of discipline, and now the former UFC lightweight champion is applying that same mindset to his business ventures in the UAE. The undefeated fighter, who retired with a 29-0 record and was later inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, has entered the country’s real estate market through a long-term partnership with DIA Holding. The first project under the agreement is LuzOra Residences, a US$70 million development on Dubai Islands.

For Dubai, the move feels like a natural extension of Nurmagomedov’s long-standing connection to the Emirates. He has been a regular visitor to the UAE for years and trained in Dubai ahead of UFC 254 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, further strengthening his ties to the country long before this latest commercial venture.

It also builds on an increasingly visible presence beyond sport. In Dubai, Nurmagomedov is already linked to Papakha, his upcoming Downtown restaurant inspired by Dagestani identity and heritage, while Send Location, his sneaker and streetwear concept, is already operating in Umm Al Sheif. Together, those projects suggest a broader strategy taking shape, one rooted in lifestyle, culture and brand equity rather than one-off endorsements.

LuzOra Residences is positioned as a hybrid hotel-and-residences concept that blends private ownership with serviced living. 70 per cent of the units are aimed at investors and 30 per cent at end users. One-bedroom apartments start from AED 1.7 million, with rental yields projected from 8 per cent and averaging around 10 per cent. Construction began in October 2025, the project is currently at 10 per cent completion, and handover is scheduled for August 2027.

DIA Holding says 38 per cent of units have already been sold or reserved, while the scheme includes smart lock access, EV charging stations, private storage, a swimming pool, a gym and complimentary golf carts for moving around the island.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC Legend and Partner at DIA Holding, added: “In both sport and business, success is built on discipline and the strength of your team. What impressed me about Faruh and DIA Holding is their commitment to doing things the right way — quietly, consistently, and with purpose. For us, this partnership goes beyond construction. It’s about creating spaces where people live, grow, and build their future. That responsibility is something we both take very seriously.”

For a figure whose legacy was built on consistency, control and cultural pride, real estate appears to be the next phase of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s steadily expanding empire.

Where: LuzOra Residences, Dubai Islands, Dubai

When: Handover expected August 2027

Contact: https://diadevelopments.ae