Vladimir Putin‘s secret $20m gift after Conor McGregor’s demise

UFC boss Dana White has dropped a bombshell surrounding Vladimir Putin and the fighter that ended Conor McGregor.

Vladimir Putin and Conor McGregor.

Vladimir Putin gifted former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov $20m following his victory over Conor McGregor, according to UFC boss Dana White.

The veteran match-maker has made the startling revelation the Russian leader spoke to Nurmagomedov moments after his explosive victory over McGregor and threw his money at the new lightweight champion.

White has told the Games with Names podcast Nurmagomedov was showered with millions of dollars worth of gifts by leaders from around the world, including Putin.

UFC 299: O’MALLEY VS VERA 2 | SUN 10 MAR | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the new exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events

The Dagestani fighter became one of the biggest stars in the athletic world after his famous victory at UFC 229 where he dethroned McGregor before all hell broke loose and brawls erupted inside and outside the Octagon.

It’s why Putin was kept waiting before he could get Nurmagomedov on the phone.

“He (Nurmagomedov) didn’t even make it back to his dressing room after the fight, and Putin was on the phone,” White said.

Khabib Nurmagomedov jumping into the crowd during the brawl at UFC 229 in Las Vegas.

“Putin gave him and his father, like, $20 million worth of property in Russia. Then he went into the Muslim territories where these guys are like, cars, money, gyms, whatever he wanted.”

Nurmagomedov fought just two more times following his win over McGregor before retiring in 2020.

McGregor’s career fell off a cliff following the defeat and the Irishman has never been the same since.

Conor McGregor is a shell of the man he once was. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP.

After being submitted by Nurmagomedov, the 35-year-old returned 15 months later to stop Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in an easy comeback fight before he was outclassed by Dustin Poirier on two occasions. McGregor has not fought in the UFC since 2021.

The lightweight division has never reached the same level as global popularity since the UFC 229 event and White admits he would have liked to have seen Nurmagomedov stay for longer.

“Once you get to that level [of Nurmagomedov’s fame], it’s like what we’re dealing with with Conor McGregor,” White said.

Vladimir Putin and Conor McGregor.

“Conor McGregor lives in a yacht in the middle of wherever the warmest place in the world is at that time. Once you get to that level, you’re not getting up and getting punched in the face any more.”

McGregor has teased a return to the fight world on several occasions in recent years, but with his net worth recently valued at $300 million there is little incentive for the fighter to step back into the Octagon.

McGregor in January went public with his plans to fight Michael Chandler as the main event fight on the UFC International Fight Week card, booked in for June 29.

However, the fight remains unconfirmed.