Dana White reveals lavish gift Khabib received from Vladimir Putin after UFC 229 win over Conor McGregor

Khabib meets PutinFollowing the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career, Khabib Nurmagomedov had a call waiting for him from…

Khabib meets Putin

Following the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career, Khabib Nurmagomedov had a call waiting for him from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Considered by some to be the greatest fighter in UFC history, Nurmagomedov’s biggest moment came at UFC 229 in October 2018 when he scored a fourth-round submission victory over Irish megastar Conor McGregor. Immediately following the fight, Putin made the call to congratulate his countryman, but found himself on hold for quite a while as Nurmagomedov notoriously hopped the cage and lept into the crowd to fight one of McGregor’s cornermen — Dillon Danis.

By the time Khabib Nurmagomeov waded through a sea of security staff and police officers, Putin was still on the line and ready to hand ‘The Eagle’ a lavish and life-changing gift.

“He didn’t even make it back to his dressing room after the fight, and Putin was on the phone,” UFC CEO Dana White recounted of the UFC 229 saga on the “Games with Names” podcast. “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 also received a Mercedes given to him by Putin’s ally and Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, who has gained notoriety for his relationships with UFC fighters, most notably Khamzat Chimaev. It is believed that Chimaev’s close relationship with Kadyrov is why ‘Borz’ is running into issues obtaining a visa to fight in the United States.

White believes Khabib Stopped short of becoming the undisputed MMA GOAT

Two years after his victory over McGregor, ‘The Eagle’ walked away from MMA following the death of his father and longtime trainer, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Since then, White has tried to lure the former lightweight champion back, offering him a reported $40 million to return to the Octagon. But as is the situation with Conor McGregor, once you have the kind of money that Nurmagomedov has, it’s hard to wake up in the morning and willingly get punched in the face.

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

White also believes that Khabib Nurmagomedov’s hasty exit after just three title defenses is the reason he failed to obtain MMA GOAT status in the eyes of the many, himself included.

“The GOAT is Jon Jones,” he said. “Jon Jones is undefeated. Khabib is undefeated, too, but I would have liked to have seen Khabib do more” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Ex-Teammate shares insight on humility of UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘He would be the guy mopping the mats’

Jake Shields shares insight on Khabib Nurmagomedov humility he would be mopping mats after UFC title winFormer Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields shares insight into the humility of Khabib Nurmagomedov.  Nurmagomedov can boast of sporting…

Jake Shields shares insight on Khabib Nurmagomedov humility he would be mopping mats after UFC title win

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields shares insight into the humility of Khabib Nurmagomedov

Nurmagomedov can boast of sporting success, celebrity status and a fairly sizeable bank balance, however, the former UFC lightweight champion remains understated and humble. The 35-year-old grew a large and devoted following throughout his career and safely earned celebrity status during the end of his career, whether he liked it or not. 

However, nothing seemed to go to Nurmagomedov’s head and remained a well-respected and pivotal part of training cores both in California and in Dagestan. Shields, who trained alongside Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy, shared that the MMA superstar would stay behind to clean the mats after practice. 

“When I would train with Khabib Nurmagomedov in San Jose he would often be the guy mopping the mats (this is usually down to my rookies) This was right before he won the title — but I’m pretty sure I also saw him moping in (Las) Vegas after he was already a champion. This sets a great example to his team that he’s not above them”, Shields wrote on Twitter

Many who know and have trained with Nurmagomedov have nothing but good things to say about him. Often the hardest worker in the room, Nurmagomedov earned the respect of many, including his former coach and head of AKA, Javier Mendes. 

When asked if money had changed Nurmagomedov, Mendes said, it did, but in the best way.

“Yes, he did change. He did change 100%. He became more generous… He became more generous, and a bit more kind to people. He was always kind but he became better with people. With more money, he became better.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down $40 million to make UFC return

While the UFC has tried to tempt Nurmagomedov back on many occasions, he remains steadfast in his retirement. 

What is your favourite moment from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s career? 

UFC icon Khabib Nurmagomedov meets football star Erling Haaland: ‘Two GOATs hanging around’

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Erling HaalandUFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov was spotted alongside Norwegian football star Erling Haaland. The Manchester City star was…

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Erling Haaland

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov was spotted alongside Norwegian football star Erling Haaland.

The Manchester City star was in Abu Dhabi where the English champions have set up their warm-weather training camp. In a video shared by Nurmagomdedov on Instagram, the former lightweight titleholder can be seen teaching Arabic to Haaland and his teammates, Ederson and Rodri.

The 23-year-old Man City forward re-joined the club’s training on Monday as he prepares to return to action following a lengthy layoff. Haaland missed the last nine matches, including five Premier League games, due to a bone stress injury in his foot.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Rumored Return at UFC 300

As for Nurmagomedov, the undefeated MMA icon has kept himself busy after walking away from the sport with an incredible 29-0 record in 2021. Recently, former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen claimed that ‘The Eagle’ was being courted for a return to the Octagon at UFC 300 to face reigning welterweight world champion Leon Edwards.

However, Nurmagomedov’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, poured cold water all over those rumors, claiming that there was absolutely no truth to the statement and subsequent reports.

“I’m just letting you guys know that, you know, stop all this nonsense regarding Khabib coming back and me and him training,” coach Mendez said in reference to Khabib’s return. “There’s been no such thing happening.”

“We’re not discussing training, we never have. Khabib is still devoted to what he said. He’s devoting his time to his family, he’s not working people’s corners, he’s not going to ever fight. To my knowledge, it’s never been spoken about. And to my knowledge, he’s been here the past few days. He just left yesterday from Dubai.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected whopping $40,000,000 payday to make stunning return to the UFC: ‘I am done’

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down 40 million to make stunning UFC comeback I am doneFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomdov reportedly rejected a stunning $40,000,000 payday to snap his 2020 retirement from the…

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down 40 million to make stunning UFC comeback I am done

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomdov reportedly rejected a stunning $40,000,000 payday to snap his 2020 retirement from the sport just two years ago according to his former training partner, fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Danel Cormier.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the promotion’s banner, called time on his illustrious fighting career back in 2020, following a submission win over then-interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje, successfully unifying the divisional crowns.

Citing the passing of his late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and a promise he made to his mother that he would not fight again, Russian sambo ace, Khabib Nurmagomeov ended his tenure boasting a stunning 29-0 professional record.

However, linked with a multitude of fights to bring him back to the Octagon, including a rematch with former two-division champion, Conor McGregor, a long-mooted super fight with former two-weight champion, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov elected against entertaining a comeback.

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down massive pay for UFC return

And according to former light heavyweight and heavyweight kingpin, Cormier, a sum in the region of $40,000,000 was floated to Nurmagomedov to secure another outing in the Octagon – which he ultimately turned down.

“Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down $40,000,000 [to fight again],” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “That dude said $40,000,000 to come back. I don’t know what would prompt him to come back if he’s throwing this much money away. Despite occasional thoughts of a comeback crossing Khabib’s mind, his unwavering commitment to a promise he made to his mother prevails.”

“To fight in the UFC, I don’t know how many fights he was meaning, I don’t know what he meant,” Cormier explained. “But he just said, ‘I turned away $40,000,000, brother. I am done.’”

Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected whopping $40,000,000 payday to make stunning return to the UFC: ‘I am done’

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down 40 million to make stunning UFC comeback I am doneFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomdov reportedly rejected a stunning $40,000,000 payday to snap his 2020 retirement from the…

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down 40 million to make stunning UFC comeback I am done

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomdov reportedly rejected a stunning $40,000,000 payday to snap his 2020 retirement from the sport just two years ago according to his former training partner, fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Danel Cormier.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the promotion’s banner, called time on his illustrious fighting career back in 2020, following a submission win over then-interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje, successfully unifying the divisional crowns.

Citing the passing of his late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and a promise he made to his mother that he would not fight again, Russian sambo ace, Khabib Nurmagomeov ended his tenure boasting a stunning 29-0 professional record.

However, linked with a multitude of fights to bring him back to the Octagon, including a rematch with former two-division champion, Conor McGregor, a long-mooted super fight with former two-weight champion, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov elected against entertaining a comeback.

Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down massive pay for UFC return

And according to former light heavyweight and heavyweight kingpin, Cormier, a sum in the region of $40,000,000 was floated to Nurmagomedov to secure another outing in the Octagon – which he ultimately turned down.

“Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down $40,000,000 [to fight again],” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “That dude said $40,000,000 to come back. I don’t know what would prompt him to come back if he’s throwing this much money away. Despite occasional thoughts of a comeback crossing Khabib’s mind, his unwavering commitment to a promise he made to his mother prevails.”

“To fight in the UFC, I don’t know how many fights he was meaning, I don’t know what he meant,” Cormier explained. “But he just said, ‘I turned away $40,000,000, brother. I am done.’”

Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts down links to shocking MMA return fight this year: ‘UFC 300 will be without me’

Khabib Nurmagomedov rules himself out of stunning comeback at UFC 300 it will be without meDefinitely shutting down links to a spectacular return to the Octagon at a monumental UFC 300 event in April,…

Khabib Nurmagomedov rules himself out of stunning comeback at UFC 300 it will be without me

Definitely shutting down links to a spectacular return to the Octagon at a monumental UFC 300 event in April, former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov claims the upcoming pay-per-view event will take place without him – as will UFC 400. 

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder and inductee into the promotion’s Hall of Fame, has been sidelined from the Octagon since 202, retiring in the immediate aftermath of his stunning submission win over Justin Gaethje in the pair’s title unification bout in the Middle East.

Yet to make a long-anticipated return to the Octagon in his retirement, Nurmagomedov has been continually linked with a comeback to active competition, particularly in the form of a rematch against former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor.

And ahead of UFC 300 in April, speculation has once more mounted regarding a stunning return to the Octagon for Dagestan native, Nurmagomedov, who has notably been linked with a welterweight championship super fight against undisputed champion, Leon Edwards.

“Coach Javier Mendez, owner and leader of the American Kickboxing Academy, came out in an interview and said that Khabib (Nurmagomedov) is back training with me,” Chael Sonnen said. “He said, ‘Khabib always goes to practice, but he only trains with me when he’s getting ready for a fight.’ And that is all I know.”

“There is a reason that Leon (Edwards) versus Belal (Muhammad) did not get made,” Sonnen claimed. “It was expected and it was planned. Something became available. This is nothing more than a rumor, but it’s a rumor that came from coach Mendez, who’s training him (Khabib Nurmagomedov), who says, ‘I don’t train him unless it’s for a fight.’ It’s fascinating.” 

Khabib Nurmagomedov rules himself out of UFC 300 comeback

However, Nurmagomedov’s former head coach, Javier Mendez has poured considerable cold water on a return for his student, who has himself since quashed rumors amid encouraging from closer friend and former professional football star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

“UFC 300 will be without me,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said on his official Instagram Stories. “As will UFC 400.