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

Andrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty ImagesThierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’GettyRonnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty'The only thing he can do is now is tar his career...' - Arnold Allen gives damning verdict on Conor McGregor's comebackGetty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Champions League club pursue Man City double-transfer swoop as post-Guardiola clear-out begins

    It is set to be a summer of change at the Etihad following Guardiola's exit.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Andrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind'

    As the fallout continues from Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup (again), Pirlo hopes the next generation can spark a revival.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Chelsea step up pursuit of £60m Premier League star as seven-club tug-of-war begins

    The player in question helped his current side qualify for Europe this term, which put several Premier League clubs on notice.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Newcastle have already identified 'dream' Anthony Gordon replacement but he won't come cheap

    The club are exploring a potential deal for the in-form forward.

    Football
  • 'Beyond washed' - New Conor McGregor training footage leaves fans still concerned
  • 'Like two kittens' - Ilia Topuria predicts outcome of Conor McGregor comeback fight with savage put down
  • Conor McGregor receives bizarre rare gift ahead of UFC return
  • Conor McGregor pushed for UFC rule change that hasn't been in use since 2019