“If I win the election, the first thing I’m going to do is get (Vladimir) Putin and get (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, I know them both well, and get them to make a deal because it’s crazy.” Classic Donald Trump? Grand declarations, sweeping solutions, and a touch of self-importance. But this statement wasn’t just a random political flex. Nope. It was seemingly inspired by none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov. Yeah, the guy who retired undefeated and left an entire division wondering what just happened. And sure, we’ve all seen how well Trump- Zelenskyy exchange went, but let’s not get into that.
Trump himself spilled the beans last year, “I got to meet him at a fight, two fights ago… I met Khabib, though… He came to me and said, ‘You’re the man that can stop the war.’” Imagine that. The Dagestani who mauls opponents into submission, now playing geopolitical advisor. And Khabib isn’t the only UFC superstar Trump has rubbed elbows with. Welcome, Conor McGregor, who recently made his way to the White House, not with world peace on his mind, but with a custom-made suit from his own August McGregor collection. Because of course. “Nice pinstripe suit, it’s one of my own,” the Irishman said. “I can get you one if you want.” Because what’s diplomacy without a little salesmanship, right?
Trump, ever the showman, lapped up the flattery. ‘The Notorious’, meanwhile, laid it on thick. “Congratulations. I’ll tell you what, your work ethic is inspiring. Your work rate is inspiring.”
But while McGregor was busy playing Trump’s personal stylist, back home in Ireland, the reaction was, well, let’s just say it wasn’t a standing ovation. Irish deputy prime minister Simon Harris wasted no time setting the record straight. “He doesn’t speak for Ireland, he doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such.” He basically made it clear that whatever Conor’s selling, they’re not buying.
Now, compare that to The Eagle’s sit-down with Trump. One fighter brings suits, the other brings global issues. Guess which one Trump seemed to take a little more seriously? Fans certainly picked up on the difference.
Were fans too quick to dismiss Conor McGregor as Donald Trump’s favorite?
If you thought Conor McGregor was Trump’s top UFC pick, the internet would like to have a word. “Bro don’t know that Donald is a fan of Khabib,” one fan laughed. “Khabib is Trump’s favorite fighter, btw,” another chimed in, probably shaking their head at McGregor’s enthusiastic handshake photo.
And then, just to drive the point home, “Trump literally talked about Khabib being the GOAT on Rogan’s podcast.” Oh, he did more than that. Trump flat-out named his pick for the greatest of all time, during a Kik stream with Adin Ross. “I think Khabib (is my favorite fighter). I mean, how good is he? Khabib was 29 (or) 28 and 0, and then his father died and he stopped,” Donald Trump said.
Meanwhile, McGregor’s visit felt more like a marketing campaign that just so happened to take place in the Oval Office. And Trump? Let’s just say, fans weren’t convinced he was all that into it. “Trump was not feeling it,” one person observed. Another took the banter up a notch, “Khabib has taken his soul.” A reference, of course, to their UFC 229 clash, where McGregor tapped, then watched his career take a downward spiral. Since that night in 2018, he’s fought three times, winning only once. The aura of invincibility? Long gone.
“He doesn’t know like everything else Trump playing both sides and sticks with the Russians he likes @khabib_nurmagomedov more than,” another fan pointed out, throwing some shade at McGregor’s meeting. And of course, someone just had to drop, “Russian travel ban.” So, what do you think? Did McGregor’s White House visit carry any real weight, or was it just another headline in his ever-growing portfolio of PR moves? And does Khabib’s quiet influence say more about who truly left a mark? Let us know where you stand!
The post Everyone Is Saying the Same Thing About Khabib Nurmagomedov After Conor McGregor’s Meetup With Donald Trump appeared first on EssentiallySports.
