Vladimir Putin cracked a joke to Khabib Nurmagomedov during their meeting following the UFC legend's victory over Conor McGregor.
Nurmagomedov met the Russian President after his big win over McGregor at UFC 229 back in October 2018.
He submitted the Irishman then jumped the Octagon and attacked his rival's team, sparking a wild brawl that marred their Las Vegas showdown.
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Shortly after beating McGregor, Nurmagomedov paid a visit to Putin where he discussed his win and post-fight melee.
Nurmagomedov, alongside his late father, joined Putin, who joked that he would ask his father not to punish him for his actions after his championship victory.
"Yes, of course you did not represent a team, you were on your own. You did not perform for your country, but you performed for yourself," he said via The Mirror.
"You are a Russian citizen and we are not indifferent to our citizens, no matter where they are or what we do.
"This is why we were witnessing attentively, I will ask your father not to punish you very cruelly because you accomplished the main aim, you won with dignity and [it was] convincing. I believe that all of us in our country are one big family.
"No matter what happens, we need to try and avoid rashness like charging someone, regardless of what is going on. Anything can happen in the family, but we never allow ourselves to cross the line.
"Of course, if we are attacked from the outside, not only you, we could all jump in such a way and there could be hell to pay. But it's better to avoid such course of action."
Nurmagomedov replied: "For now they are only talking about my jump even though I performed quite well. In comparison with his behaviour, his disrespect towards me, my parents, my country, I behaved with dignity.
"Of course, I have not controlled myself in some moments because they were provocations even during the fight."
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC, Vladimir Putin, Conor McGregor
Nasir Jabbar