KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV revealed he fears snakes – despite being able to wrestle bears and lions.

The unbeaten lightweight champion is preparing to defend his crown against interim champion Justin Gaethje in a unification on Saturday.

And during his preparations for the UFC 254 headliner, Nurmagomedov's team-mates pranked the Russian star.

As the 32-year-old was training, his pals brought in a large snake and began chasing everyone around with it.

But as Nurmagomedov explains, the stunt was not initially aimed at him.

He told BT Sport: "Honestly, I don't like snakes. I like bear, eagle, lion.

"They don't know about me, they know about other guys, they know about other guys but they don't bring this to bring pressure one me."

Nurmagomedov grew up grappling in Dagestan, and legendary pictures revealed the future UFC champion wrestling with bears as a nine-year-old.

But according to the man himself, he was forced to recruit a LION as his secret sparring partner having injured himself going against bears.

He told TMZ Sports in 2016: "I stopped wrestling with bears because last time I was wrestling with him he hurt my ACL.

"No wrestling, but a little bit of sparring, only boxing with lion. Now I have a different plan.

"Yes, two months ago when I'm beginning my last training camp with Michael Johnson, I have couple rounds with lion.

"This is very close matchup, but this is sparring, nobody can see. We no make video no nothing because sparring is secret."

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