'A proper Russian!' McGregor gives shout-out to Ovechkin after big NHL knockout, to jibe Khabib?

Former UFC double champ Conor McGregor was impressed by the knockout power of Russian NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin, who fought an on-ice opponent last night in a Stanley Cup playoffs game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

McGregor, who has record of 18 KO victories in his professional MMA career, definitely knows a thing or two about knocking people out – as well as making headlines by giving comments on hot news topics.

He didn't keep quiet when Ovechkin made headlines after an NHL fight in which he knocked out his opponent after a couple of punches.

While congratulating the Capitals captain, The Notorious Irishman didn't forget to deliver yet another covert jibe to his bitter rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov.  

“Congrats @ovi8! A Proper Russian,” McGregor tweeted, most likely referring to the fact that Nurmagomedov, who hails from the Republic of Dagestan, is not ethnically Russian, but is of Avar ethnicity. 

"Great to meet you in Moscow big man, see you again soon! They can run, but they can’t hide," he added. 

It’s not the first time McGregor has used ethnicity in his mind games against Nurmagomedov. In the build-up to their fight in October of 2018, he promised to defeat the Dagestani “in the name of Russian people.”

READ MORE: 'I'll beat Khabib in the name of the Russian people!' McGregor makes shock UFC 229 promise

In early April, he also delivered a series of Twitter attacks against the Dagestan native, including a post in which he insulted Nurmagomedov’s wife.

In the tweet, which has since been deleted, McGregor posted a picture of Nurmagomedov and his wife, who was wearing a Muslim veil, along with the text: “Your wife is a towel mate.”