Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor handed bans by Nevada Athletic Commission after UFC brawl
KHABIB Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have both been suspended for fighting at the end of their brutal UFC contest last weekend - but the Russian champion is crying foul.
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UFC fighters Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have been suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission for the brawl that erupted inside and outside the octagon after their lightweight title fight in Las Vegas.
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Letters were sent Wednesday informing both mixed martial arts fighters they will be suspended for at least 10 days effective October 15, commission executive Bob Bennett said.
A commission investigation is pending and the panel can extend the temporary suspension when they meet on October 25, Bennett said.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor can also appeal Bennett’s executive action at that time.
McGregor’s manager Audie Attar did not immediately comment and Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz did not immediately respond to emails.
However, Nurmagomedov, who was praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting earlier this week in Moscow, responded with an angry Instagram post saying he was being unfairly punished.
The fighter complained that discipline didn’t follow an incident last April in Brooklyn, New York, when McGregor shattered windows of Nurmagomedov’s bus with a hand truck after Nurmagomedov confronted one of McGregor’s teammates days earlier.
“They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family?” Nurmagomedov posted.
“We have defended our honour and this is the most important thing. We intend to go to the end.”
Fighting erupted outside the octagon after McGregor (21-4) tapped out during a chokehold by Nurmagomedov (27-0) in the fourth round of UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena.
The Russian champion from Dagestan then stepped away from McGregor, climbed over the cage and scuffled with a fighter in the Irishman’s corner. Members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage climbed into the octagon and attacked McGregor, and McGregor also tried to climb out of the cage during the brawl.
Nurmagomedov’s $2 million for the fight has been withheld by the commission pending the outcome of the investigation, Bennett said. McGregor received his $3 million purse.
“You can keep my money that you are withholding,” Nurmagomedov posted.
“I hope it won’t get stuck in your throat.”
UFC President Dana White said three members of Nurmagomedov’s camp were detained by police but released because McGregor refused to press criminal charges.
White said the UFC might strip the lightweight title from Nurmagomedov.