5 of Conor McGregor's closest friends in MMA

#2. Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov

Artem Lobov (left) with Paddy Holohan and Stevo Timothy | Image via Twitter @SirStevoTimothy

Artem Lobov is certainly one of the closest friends to Conor McGregor in the sport of MMA. He has often put his career on hold and has turned down fights to help his SBG teammate prepare for big events, namely the bout against Floyd Mayweather.

The Russian has been a constant in Conor McGregor’s corner and camp throughout his UFC tenure. However, the two fighters formed their bond during their time together on the mats of SBG. Speaking about how they ended up training together in the first place, Artem Lobov said:

"It would be very hard to end up sparring Conor shortly after you walk into the gym because we have so many fighters. At that time it was only me, Conor and (Owen) Roddy that were featherweights, so naturally we ended up training together a lot."

The two have been together through thick and thin, propping each other up whenever needed.

What a war that was!!! https://t.co/xOCF6ZUjuM

— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) August 22, 2021

After Artem Lobov won a one-sided bout against Teruto Ishihara, McGregor was seen scaling the fence and celebrating his friend's biggest UFC win in front of a cheering SSE Arena.

'The Russian Hammer' has even gone on to admit that it was because of McGregor that he was signed by the UFC. Artem Lobov being slapped by Khabib Nurmagomedov in a minor confrontation was why McGregor had thrown a steel dolly at the bus carrying Khabib and other UFC 223 fighters.

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#1. Conor McGregor and Dillon Danis

Birds of a feather flock together | Image via Instagram @dillondanis

Conor McGregor and jiu-jitsu maestro Dillon Danis have been working together since 2016, and have developed a close bond over the course of five years. Danis, who is currently signed with Bellator, admitted that he saw McGregor as his big brother.

"He’s (Conor McGregor) a big brother to me. It’s like getting to watch Muhammad Ali every day. He teaches me that the things you say are important," said Dillon Danis.

Dillon Danis also confessed that he enjoys huge levels of popularity because he is close with Conor McGregor. He said:

"It’s kind of crazy. Being young and getting this popularity, free things and girls everywhere. You could be 40-0, and no one will know your name. [I’m] 1-0, and everyone knows my name."

When Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor at UFC 229, it was the Irishman's cornerman Dillon Danis who couldn't stop jawing at the Russian. The whole fiasco was centered around Danis not giving in despite his friend losing inside the octagon, and Khabib reacting to it.