Khabib Nurmagomedov given luxury Mercedes as gift as Conor McGregor’s conqueror is made Chechen citizen by warlord Ramzan Kadyrov
KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV has been handed a luxury Mercedes and honorary citizenship of Chechnya by a warlord - as extra rewards for beating Conor McGregor.
Russia's UFC lightweight champ Nurmagomedov hailed the "respect" shown to him by highly-controversial Ramzan Kadyrov.
Chechen Republic leader Kadyrov has been criticised for alleged human rights abuses, including torture, forced disappearance, detaining homosexuals and suppressing women.
But after receiving the unusual gifts at a dinner, Nurmagomedov said: “Thank you very much for such a generous gift, and most importantly, respect show to me."
Veteran MMA journalist Karim Zidan reported Kadyrov's gesture - a week after Nurmagomedov took his unbeaten record to 27-0 witha one-sided title victory over Irishman McGregor.
The powerful wrestler'srear naked choke forced McGregor to tap out in the forth round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at UFC 229.
But "the Eagle" sparked a post fight brawl after jumping over the cage fence into the crowd to attack McGregor’s training mate Dillon Danis.
That has left Nurmagomedov sweating on his $2million dollar fight purse (around £1.52m) and facing a possible ban.
McGregor was also suspended by the suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his part in the shocking flare-up, having clashed with Nurmagomedov's team members.
UFC president Dana White labelled the post-fight scenes "disgusting".
Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov can also mull over another offer to leave UFC - after rapper 50 Cent offered him £1.5m in cash to fight for Bellator.
The American actor/singer said: “I think it’s wrong what the UFC is doing to Khabib.
"They didn’t do the same thing to McGregor. I’ll pay 2 million cash tonight if he will fight for me at Bellator.
“I’ll deal with Dana and your contract later. The UFC is not the only game in town. Zubaira is welcome also.”