The credit for developing the UFC into one of the most profitable promotions in the world should be given to CEO and President Dana White. The former boxercise coach and manager reportedly facilitated the acquisition of UFC by the Fertitta brothers, who reportedly changed the face of the MMA promotion.
One of the most legendary matches in UFC history was the bout between undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. The match was known for its controversies after the game when Khabib lashed at McGregor’s teammates after being goaded by them. Dana White revealed that the match made Khabib a bigger superstar and the fighter received a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What Happened In The Match Between Khabib Nurmagomedov And Conor McGregor?
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor were set to face each other for the first time in 2018. The match was extremely hyped due to the record held by the two fighters. While Khabib Nurmagomedov had an undefeated record of 26-0, McGregor was a two-weight champion, winning the titles for both Featherweight and Lightweight Championships.
UFC CEO Dana White described the legendary match as the biggest UFC Fight in history. The CEO mentioned to Fox Sports,
“I believe it is the biggest fight in the history of the company, other than the Mayweather fight. This thing is going to be massive.”
The match was legendary for more reasons than just the fight. Prior to the bout, Conor McGregor came under fire for attacking a bus filled with fighters with his team. According to the website MMA Fighting, McGregor and his entourage attacked a bus after UFC223’s Media Day. The attack resulted in many players being injured. Khabib Nurmagomedov was also reportedly present in the bus.
After defeating Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly launched into McGregor’s section of the octagon to attack his teammate Dillon Danis (via JOE). The legendary fighter claimed that he launched at Dannis as he insulted his religion and nation during pre-match taunts. Nurmagomedov was reportedly fined $500,000 by the Nevada Athletics Commission.
Dana White Said Khabib Nurmagomedov Received A Great Gift From Vladimir Putin
Despite the bitter aftertaste of the match, Khabib Nurmagomedov became a bigger legend for defeating Conor McGregor. The Dagestanian fighter reportedly received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him on his win. Dana White mentioned on the podcast Games With Names that Nurmagomedov had not even reached backstage when he got the call.
Dana White also mentioned the lavish gifts that were bestowed on the Dagestanian fighter after his legendary win against Conor McGregor. He said,
“He didn’t even make it back to his dressing room after the fight, and Putin was on the phone. 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.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov retained his undisputed status with the game, despite being pitted against one of the best MMA fighters in the world. Though the fight itself seemed to have been a bad memory for the fighter, the appreciation he gained from prominent personalities such as Putin and from nations might have made it all worth it. Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from the UFC with his undefeated record intact.
