World reacts to Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov madness
MIKE Tyson says the attack on Conor McGregor at UFC 229 was even wilder than the night he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear.
A SHOCKING post-match brawl marred the UFC’s night of nights as victorious champion Khabib Nurmagomedov launched himself at Conor McGregor’s camp after choking the Irishman out.
UFC President Dana White said he was “disgusted” at the scenes which will forever haunt the promotion. White said the build-up to UFC 229 was the ugliest he’d seen as the pair traded barbs. The finish was even uglier.
Nurmagomedov proved McGregor’s prediction of an easy knockout false as he rushed the former champ and barrelled him to the ground early in the first round. From there it was an uphill battle until Khabib forced a tap out from the humbled star in the fourth round.
A taunt from McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis infuriated Khabib, who jumped the fence and began throwing haymakers.
“He should have just took his win, took his belt, like a man,” lightweight rival Tony Ferguson said. “I’m upset, I’m appalled.”
Amid the confusion, two members of the Russian’s team attacked McGregor. As one confronted him head-on and threw a punch, another leapt into the cage and sucker-punched him from behind. “That was disgusting,” commentator Joe Rogan said. “It’s so incredibly disappointing.”
This is how the fight world reacted.
Watching the @TheNotoriousMMA vs @TeamKhabib fight. Unimaginable never thought it would go down like this. Crazier than my fight riot.
â Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) October 7, 2018
I love Professional Wrestling.
â Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) October 7, 2018
What the average fan donât understand is itâs show business as well as a fight. Think how big a rematch could be.
â TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) October 7, 2018
Two wrongs never make a right and we should always strive to be the bigger person. Glad Connor is ok. Family & faith should always be respected. Alhumdulliah brother @TeamKhabib 27-0
â Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 7, 2018
Sad. Straight up sad. Iâm speechless. The biggest night in UFC history is damaged. I feel bad for Conor, Dana, UFC, and most of all for Khabib. Heâs worked his entire life for this moment. One millisecond of emotion ruined it all. #UFC229
â Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 7, 2018
Another historical night. Amazing atmosphere, technical fight with excitement all the way thru. All that makes MMA a great sport. Shame about the ending. On to the next one.
â Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 7, 2018
Hey guys, two wrongs donât make it right. Conor didnât deserve that. No one did. But some things arenât for fight promotion. Religion, family, country. Throwing stuff in Brooklyn. For Khabib it wasnât fight promotion, it was really personal. Diff culture man. Sucks
â Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 7, 2018
Pussy Irish guy attacked a bus with innocent women on it, him and his pussy Dillon daniscorner deserve it all... justice baby!!!
â Al Iaquintað½ (@ALIAQUINTA) October 7, 2018
Unacceptable! You canât jump the fence and punch the fighter. Awesome fights but on the end ðð½
â Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 7, 2018
Nurmagomedov, who improved his record to 27-0, apologised in his post-fight press conference but pointed the finger back at McGregor for overstepping the line with his trash talk.
“I want to say sorry ... I know this is not my best side,” Nurmagomedov said. “(But) he talk about my religion, he talk about my country, he talk about my father, he came to Brooklyn and he broke bus, he almost kill a couple of people.”
“This is respect sport, this is not trash talking sport,” he added. “I know my father going to smash me when I go home, I know he’s going to smash me.”
UFC president Dana White later revealed three men have been arrested and are being taken to jail. The man who jumped into the cage is reportedly Zubaira Tukhugov, a Russian-born mixed martial artist who currently fights in the UFC featherweight division.
“I don’t even know what to say right now, I’m just disgusted and sick over it,” White said.
He said McGregor was not hurt. “He’s upset about the fight,” White said. “Not about the fight after the fight.”
“There’s a lot of repercussions for what they did tonight,” White added.
Another historical night. Amazing atmosphere, technical fight with excitement all the way thru. All that makes MMA a great sport. Shame about the ending. On to the next one.
â Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 7, 2018
That was 100% worse than Nashville. Disgusting. Not sure who lit up Conor from up here but that was criminal. Horrible, horrible ending.
â Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 7, 2018
This is what happens when you stoke religious and ethnic tension as part of the promotion for an MMA fight. Unfortunately, this is not likely to end here #UFC229
â Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) October 7, 2018
I have a feeling we won't be seeing Khabib for a long, long time.
â Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) October 7, 2018
I am outraged.
â Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) October 7, 2018
Khabib should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
In fact, I firmly believe that Khabib's actions merit the same punishment - criminal, immigration, UFC, etc. - that McGregor received for his assault.
I know, I know...harsh. But necessary.
You have a dominant, ass whooping performance and make the biggest name in your sport submit...them you act like a total asshole and cause chaos and contribute to a near riot. You hurt your career and your sport. #KhabibMcGregor
â Lou DiBella (@loudibella) October 7, 2018
Congratulations @TeamKhabib disgusting Conor McGregor fans.
â Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) October 7, 2018