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Conor McGregor Taunts Muslim Khabib With Glass of Whiskey Ahead of UFC Showdown

© AP Photo / Seth WenigConor McGregor, right, and UFC president Dana White have a drink during a news conference in New York, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. McGregor is returning to UFC after a two-year absence
Conor McGregor, right, and UFC president Dana White have a drink during a news conference in New York, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. McGregor is returning to UFC after a two-year absence - Sputnik International
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The Irishman, who is known for his brash antics, offered Khabib Nurmagomedov a glass of spirits - a provocative step, one might say, given that Khabib practices Islam, which prohibits alcohol. On top of the taunt, Conor McGregor referenced the infamous dolly-throwing April incident, which led to his arrest and guilty plea.

Irish UFC fighter Conor McCregor sneaked a bottle of his own brand ‘Proper No. 12' whiskey to an explosive press conference with Russia's Khabib Nurmagomedov. The event was held in New Yok on Thursday in the run-up to their long-awaited UFC 229 showdown which will take place next month.

 "I'm not underestimating him and when I go to the cage I'm gonna go like [it is] my last fight," Khabib said before he was interrupted by his raucous challenger.

"Why don't you drink?" Conor inquired, holding out a glass of whiskey. "I don't drink," Khabib, a devout Muslim, replied repeatedly.

READ MORE: 'F*** the Mayweathers': Conor McGregor Disses Rival Prior to Important Bout

McGregor also claimed during the presser that it would take him one round to dispatch his rival and reclaim the UFC lightweight title.

He also referenced the infamous April incident in which he hurled a metal dolly through the window of a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and his team, shattering glass and injuring lightweight fighter Michael Chiesa. Later on, he was arrested and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct to avoid a jail term.

'If you'd have got off that bus you'd be dead now and I'd be in a cell,' he exclaimed. "He would have been in a box and I would have been in a cell."

The heated press conference triggered an avalanche of reactions on social media; Khabib's fans met Conor's onslaught with snorts of sarcasm.

The presser marked the first time the two fighters squared off in front of the media. Conor McGregor, a former featherweight and lightweight title holder, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, the reigning lightweight champion, are set to face off at UFC 229 in Las Vegas on October 6.

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