Dana White reveals Vladimir Putin gifts to Khabib Nurmagomedov after Conor McGregor win: “Whatever he wanted”

Dana White has opened up on the aftermath of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Over five years removed from UFC 229, the card is still the highest-grossing in MMA history. At the top of the billing, were lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor. Leading into the event, the two stars were in a heated feud, that would continue for years beyond that night in 2019.

The fight itself was a bit of a lopsided one. While Conor McGregor is one of only two men to win a round against ‘The Eagle’, he was still thoroughly dominated. Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted the Irishman in the fourth round, moving to 27-0 in his career. Post-fight, the Russian leaped into the crowd to fight McGregor’s friend, Dillon Danis.

The night was a wild one for one UFC President, Dana White. Speaking in a recent appearance on the Games With Names Podcast, the promoter reflected on Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. Five years on from that night, White revealed that the Russian got some massive gifts afterward.

In fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Khabib Nurmagomedov $20 million in real estate in his home country. White added that the former UFC lightweight champion received many other gifts, from other world leaders. The promoter also speculated that due to the massive wealth Nurmagomedov attained, it was difficult to make him fight long-term.

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Dana White reveals aftermath of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

“He’s a huge megastar in the Muslim world,” Dana White stated on the podcast, reflecting on Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. “After he beat Conor McGregor, he went on this tour of all the Muslim countries. He’s going to Turkey, he’s going into Saudi Arabia, he’s going to Abu Dhabi, he’s going to Dubai. I mean, he didn’t make it back to his dressing room, and Putin was on the phone.”

“Putin gave him and his father, like $20 million dollars worth of property in Russia. Then he went into the Muslim territories. Where these guys are just [gifting] cars, money, gyms, whatever he wanted. It’s like, once you get to that level [it’s hard to fight], it’s like what we’re dealing with Conor McGregor.”

On White’s last point regarding Conor McGregor, ‘The Notorious’ has been steadfast in his intentions to return. The former dual-weight UFC champion has been linked to a potential fall bout with Michael Chandler. Although, the promotion has failed to book the fight as of now.

However, it’s highly unlikely that Khabib Nurmagomedov will ever fight again. Beyond the massive wealth that the Russian has attained, the former UFC champion had to fight through the loss of his father in 2020. Not long after the passing, Nurmagomedov retired from competition and has vowed to never fight again.

What do you make of this news from Dana White? What are your memories from UFC 229 and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor?