Khabib launches digital NFT cards as fans joke McGregor will buy
‘diamond’ version to FINALLY get chance to meet nemesis again
https://ift.tt/3wdzBTx
Retired UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has become the
latest superstar from the world of sports to join the NFT revolution,
announcing the release of a unique set of digital cards.
NFTs – non-fungible tokens – are becoming all the rage among the
sporting elite and Khabib has become the latest name to jump on the
bandwagon.
The tokens are touted as being ‘one-of-a-kind’ assets in the digital realm which can be bought or sold.
Taking to his social media platforms on Tuesday, Khabib revealed that he was releasing a series of “digital cards” bearing his image which fans could bid to get their hands on.
“Khabib Nurmagomedov proudly presents his NFT collection of unique cards,” read a statement on the website digitalkhabib.com.
“Three series of cards will be issued: gold, platinum and
diamond. Cards will be issued in limited series and all unsold cards
will be burnt. The diamond card will be unique, only one will be
issued.”
The announcement went on to add that the move was a nod to Khabib’s
recently confirmed retirement as he left the UFC as undefeated and
undisputed lightweight champion.
The gold version will be limited to 290 cards, and will have “unlockable content” which will later be revealed to the owners.
The platinum edition, meanwhile, will be limited to just 29 cards and
buyers will each “have the opportunity to receive a unique personal
prize from Khabib” which will be revealed at a later date.
Top of the range is the diamond card, which will be limited to a single issue.
“The card buyer will have the opportunity to personally meet
Khabib, and will also receive other gifts from him which will be
announced at a later date before the auction starts,” the sales pitch gushed.
It was that chance to meet 'The Eagle' which led some fans to troll
former UFC rival Conor McGregor, who has been desperate to secure a
rematch with the Russian star since Khabib submitted him in their Las
Vegas grudge match in October 2018.
“Conor McGregor is going to buy the Diamond Card,” joked one fan, sharing the details of what the prize would give the owner.
"Smart man! Whoever is your financial advisor deserves an award," wrote another fan, clearly impressed.
Others, however, accused Khabib of pushing his side-hustles a little
bit too hard as he continues to expand his already broad range of
business interests and endorsements.
Despite their somewhat novel nature, NFTs are becoming increasingly
big business for sports stars, just as they are in other areas.
Last month, golfer Bryson DeChambeau announced he was releasing a set
of cards, while the NBA has also spotted the potential of the
blockchain-based assets.
Basketball highlights are being made into NFTs – known as Moments –
by NBA Top Shot, a joint venture between the National Basketball
Association, the NBA Players Association and Dapper Labs.
So far, the record amount spent at Top Shot was by Jesse Schwarz, the founder of Front Page.
Schwarz spent $208,000 on a LeBron James dunk, saying: "Everyone
knows there's one Mona Lisa. You can print out a picture of it, someone
can paint you a fake one. But there's only ever one."
Outside of sport, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey sold his first-ever tweet as an NFT for a staggering $2.9 million.
‘One of us!’: Fans react as former world No1 golfer Jordan Spieth hits 15th green with monster drive... from the 13th hole (VIDEO) https://ift.tt/3lOIZIy
Anyone who has ever spent time on a golf course will know the feeling of seeing a drive swerve away from its intended direction – but golf star Jordan Spieth has proved that even the sport's top pros aren't immune to errant shots.
27-year-old Texan Spieth was in command in his opening match with Matt Fitzpatrick at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, leading his opponent by three shots with six holes to play when he decided to go all out on the short par-4 13th hole.
The former world number one ranked – who, like noted golf hulk Bryson DeChambeau, has added some considerable muscle to his frame in attempt to bolster his tee shots – miscalculated sending his drive to the right towards the grandstand.
Spieth's shot landed on a cart track before bouncing directly onto the 15th green – just as a confused Patrick Cantlay was putting for a birdie.
Incredibly, despite Spieth's misplaced drive, he still salvaged the hole and soon rubber-stamped a 3&1 win against England's Fitzpatrick.
When he was told the identity of the golfer whose drive ended up on the green he was putting from, an incredulous Cantlay said that he would have to take it up with Spieth later.
"Was it? I'll give him crap about it," quipped Cantlay.
"I think it landed on the cart path and then just shot over," said Spieth of his unconventional approach on the 13th.
"To that back-left pin it's a no-brainer: you hit driver up there and you have a 50 or 60-yard pitch right up the green, and that wedge shot is just so difficult to the back-left pin.
"When it hit the cart path it just makes it look crazier, but in reality you're going to drop in the same place, no matter where you hit it. I don't see that strategy changing for me. It was just kind of annoying to have to walk an extra 50 yards to get my ball."
Reacting to the viral clip, golf babe Paige Spiranac called Spieth "all of us off the tee" – a sentiment that was shared by several other golf enthusiasts who could apparently relate to the feeling of seeing a drive arc away from its intended direction.
"One of us," wrote one fan, while another said that they were "still impressed" by the shot despite it veering wildly off course.
