The story behind Khabib Nurmagomedov's hat from the UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov will face Conor McGregor for the ultra light crown of UFC 229 on Saturday, and viewers will be offered a unique sartorial choice among Nurmagomedov favorites.

Originally from the region of Dagestan controlled by the Russians, Nurmagomedov often wears a blurry blonde hat on his head, most often when he enters the ring or shows up at a press conference before the fight. So, what is the story behind Nurmagomedov's headgear? Here's what you need to know.

The Nurmagomedov hat is called papakha (pronounced "puh-pah-hah"), originally from Dagestan, a Russian territory just west of the Caspian Sea. Appeared for the first time in the 16th century, papakha is made from sheepskin. According to Georgi Derlugian, a professor at Abu Dhabi's New York University, the papakha originates from the "Avar culture" of Dagestan.

"He's a warrior, a mountain clan, and that's what their shepherds are wearing," Derlugian told Vice's teammate Jeff Harder.

Nurmagomedov and his papakha will be seen next Saturday when Nurmagomedov takes on McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight should start at 22 hours. AND.