Khabib Nurmagomedov is a hero in Russia...
The Dagestan native seems to be even more popular in his native country than Conor McGregor is in Ireland.
The scenes caused on his return to Dagestan was a sight to behold, as thousands of adoring fans rushed the field at the Anzhi Arena in Khabib's hometown of Makhachkala to welcome home their hero.
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For the UFC lightweight champion, defeating Conor McGregor in the biggest fight in UFC history has clearly propelled him to superstar status in Russia. After UFC 229 Khabib revealed that he had received a celebratory phone call from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
One suspects that had McGregor pulled off the impossible on Saturday he would not have been congratulated by Leo or Michael D, but it is what it is.
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Upon his return to Russia, Khabib has been on a whirlwind celebration tour around the country, and it culminated yesterday in a face-to-face meeting his the much maligned Russian president.
Khabib's father, Abdulmanap was also in attendance on Wednesday at the "Russia – Country of Sports" forum in Ulyanovsk.
By now you are all aware of the post-fight shenanigans that occurred after Khabib's victory at UFC 229. In the immediate aftermath he told the press that his father would "smash him" when he returned home.
"I know my father gonna smash me when I go home because … I know he gonna smash me," Khabib said.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov also came out and proclaimed that his son would receive severe consequences following his attack on Dillon Danis. However, Putin has asked for leniency towards Khabib following the biggest win of his career to date.
"I will ask your father not to punish you too strictly, because you achieved the main task, worthily and convincingly," Putin said, via RT.com.
It is clear to see that Khabib is a genuine star in his native country.
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