Neymar looked to the UFC when the time came to further boost his protection after his move to Paris Saint-Germain
UFC welterweight Nordine Taleb was reportedly hired by Neymar last August to be his bodyguard following the Brazilian’s €222 million switch from Barcelona.
It’s unknown how hands-on Taleb is with Neymar but a report in the Independent claimed that the 170 lbs fighter planned to juggle his bodyguard duties with his job as an active mixed martial arts fighter.
https://twitter.com/teamsdzz/status/895689920097918976
Taleb has since gone 1-2 in the UFC and for the first time in his career, suffered consecutive defeats when he was stopped by Sean Strickland on Saturday night.
An onslaught from Strickland forced Taleb to his back at the midway point of the second round and the right hands kept coming before the Frenchman was finished.
https://twitter.com/Hamderlei/status/1056364067366096896
The stoppage was a tad early for Taleb’s liking and he complained immediately to referee Eric Nevitt, both in the Octagon and on social media.
.Yes I got caught but I survived, I call early stoppage ! I wasn't giving up or tapping out , I was surviving, such BS ! We have seen worst positions that night or other shows and they let it go, pro fighting needs pro refs.#UFCMoncton
— Nordine Taleb💧 (@TNT83MMA) October 28, 2018
Taleb is now 14-6 as a professional and 6-4 in the UFC but at the age of 37, his days at fighting at the elite level are surely numbered.
At least there’s no shortage of money coming from Neymar, who remains one of the best paid players in world football.
Useless fact: Nordine Taleb has dropped to 1-2 since working as Neymar's bodyguard.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) October 28, 2018