sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Conor McGregor Felt Fear For The First Time When He Put His Arm Around Vladimir Putin
Home>Football
Updated 13:56 22 Feb 2022 GMTPublished 12:34 22 Feb 2022 GMT

Conor McGregor Felt Fear For The First Time When He Put His Arm Around Vladimir Putin

Conor McGregor met Russia president Vladimir Putin at the 2018 World Cup final.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

One of the biggest and most confident personalities in sport, if not the world, Conor McGregor carries himself differently to everybody else.

He gets punched, kicked and choked inside a cage for a living and has made millions in the process. Intense as ever, there's never really been an opponent who made McGregor tremble.

Even rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, despite beating him comfortably, didn't faze the Irishman all that much.

Advert

But the one time McGregor showed a bit of fear was when in the company of Russia president Vladimir Putin.

The two-weight UFC champion was in attendance in Moscow for the 2018 World Cup final and met with the 70-year-old ahead of France's 4-2 win over Croatia.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Their exchange was captured for McGregor's YouTube channel 'TheMacLife' and the two were seen having a brief conversation.

They then had a picture together but McGregor made the mistake of putting his arm on the shoulder of Putin.

One of his security appeared to tell the Notorious One there was to be none of that and McGregor's facial expression changed dramatically.

The pair took the picture with McGregor's hands in front and he looked visibly nervous and uncomfortable for a few seconds.

A handshake and a pat did ensue before McGregor went on his way. The 33-year-old posted on Instagram about meeting Putin, who he called "one of the greatest leaders of our time".

"Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin," McGregor wrote.

"This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him.

"Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup.

Россия вперёд!"

Both McGregor and Khabib were both at the Luzhniki Stadium for the final four years but given their hatred for one another, it's probably for the best that they didn't cross paths.

Featured Image Credit: Image: TheMacLife

Topics: Conor McGregor, UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

'I wanted to give back to the sport that gave me everything' - Ashley Cole is finding himself in first manager jobGettyAn interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'Getty ImagesMichael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    England star could become most expensive player in Premier League history as new offer emerges

    Manchester City and Manchester United will have to cough up to land their top target this summer.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Reason why Germany included extra player in official World Cup squad photo revealed

    Germany's official World Cup squad photo included 27 players and a reason behind the move has emerged.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Barcelona and Real Madrid both turn down same £66 million player offered on a free transfer

    Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all said no to the star for the same reason.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Mexico v South Africa prediction and preview ahead of WC opener

    Our guide to the opening World Cup game between Mexico and South Africa.

    Football
  • Khabib Hits Back at 'Liar' Conor McGregor After 'Scam' Claim
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Ends Conor McGregor Feud for Good With Final Brutal Post
  • Conor McGregor explodes on Khabib Nurmagomedov in deleted post as rivalry sparks back into life out of nowhere
  • Khabib Reignites Conor McGregor Feud With Brutal Comment on Mike Tyson Video