Conor McGregor claims Vladimir Putin checked there was no poision in the bottle of whiskey the UFC star gifted to the Russian president at the 2018 World Cup final.
McGregor said he gave Putin a bottle of his own-brand Proper No. Twelve whiskey as France beat Croatia in Moscow, before the Russian president's security team snuffed it out for poison.
The Irishman recently announced January 18 next year as the date of his next UFC clash in Las Vegas, with 'The Notorious' not having fought for over a year since his fourth round submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
This week, McGregor said of the Putin-poision-whiskey affair: 'President Putin's security detail is second to none as I'm sure you know.
'You don't mess around with Vladimir.
'So, I gifted the bottle, I gifted it to his security.
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'They had to take the liquid from the bottle to make sure the liquid was safe and it was not maybe poisoned or what not and then it was gifted to Vladimir Putin.'
McGregor said he wasn't allowed to share a tipple with Putin because of security measures in place, but harboured hope the Russian president did treat himself to a sip.
'I'm sure he did have a taste and I'm sure he enjoyed it,' the controversial UFC star added.
McGregor launched Proper No.12 in September 2018 and back in May he revealed the brand had already raked in an incredible £764million.
Forbes has estimated the Notorious to hold a personal wealth of more than £77million - the 12th richest celebrity - as he has established himself as one of the most recognised sportsmen in the world.
McGregor has called for a rematch against Nurmagomedov to settle a bitter score over their infamous 2018 battle, and the Irishman will be hoping his return to ring action in January can secure him some of the biggest, most lucrative fights available.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
