A number of seconds after Conor McGregor tapped Khabib Nurmagomedovs arm and submitted to the champions choke, Nurmagomedov climbed the cage and leaped on the males in McGregors nook, setting off a protracted brawl inside and out of doors the octagon.
A seminal second in combined martial arts was instantly overshadowed by a tawdry ending Saturday evening when the UFCs infuriated light-weight champion took his battle with McGregor past their bout.
McGregor tapped out within the fourth spherical of his comeback combat at UFC 229 towards Nurmagomedov, who then scaled the cage and scuffled with one other fighter manning McGregors nook. In the meantime, two males apparently from Nurmagomedovs entourage climbed into the cage and attacked McGregor, who defended himself earlier than safety personnel separated everybody.
Order was restored with no apparently severe accidents, however the scuffles instantly dwarfed one of many largest and most profitable exhibits in UFC historical past.
Been doing this for 18 years, and (on) the most important evening ever, I couldnt be extra disenchanted, UFC President Dana White stated. Im not even mad. Im simply actually disenchanted.
Nurmagomedovs purse has been withheld by the Nevada Athletic Fee pending an investigation, White stated. He additionally claimed three members of Nurmagomedovs camp have been detained and launched by police as a result of McGregor refused to press costs towards them.
White acknowledged the UFC would possibly strip its title from Nurmagomedov (27-0), a Dagestan-born Russian fighter who trains in San Jose, California.
If he will get suspended, it will depend on how lengthy his suspension is, White stated. And if its an extended suspension, yeah, hes most likely going to get it stripped.
Nurmagomedov appeared briefly at a post-fight information convention after midnight. He apologised to the Nevada State Athletic Fee, saying the brawl was not my greatest aspect, but additionally condemned McGregors barbed pre-fight taunts.
You can not discuss faith, Nurmagomedov stated. You can not discuss nation. You can not discuss this now.
Nurmagomedov additionally stated he received a congratulatory telephone name from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who advised me he’s very pleased with me.
The wild scene occurred after McGregor (21-4) received caught in a choke by Nurmagomedov, who punctuated this simmering rivalry with a powerful victory over the famous person who infamously attacked a bus carrying Nurmagomedov in Brooklyn final April. McGregor shattered the bus home windows with a hand truck as a result of he was indignant about Nurmagomedov confronting considered one of his teammates earlier within the week.
The post-fight hassle began when the Russian champion from Dagestan stepped away from the inclined McGregor and instantly pointed on the Irishmans nook, shouting and throwing his mouthpiece.
The boys in McGregors nook appeared to reply with taunts, and Nurmagomedov climbed over the fence and fought with Dillon Danis, a Bellator welterweight who trains with McGregor.
One of many two males who attacked McGregor within the cage was extensively recognized as Zubaira Tukhugov. The Chechen featherweight is scheduled to combat in three weeks towards Artem Lobov, the McGregor group member who was confronted by Nurmagomedov in April.
White stated if Tukhugov was the person within the ring, he won’t ever combat once more for the UFC.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor each left the ring earlier than the championship belt might be put round Nurmagomedovs waist, and followers within the pro-Conor crowd threw beers and particles at Nurmagomedov on his means out. White stated he feared a melee in an area if he awarded the belt to Nurmagomedov.
I dont even know what to say proper now, White stated. Im simply disgusted and sick over it. We had a lot safety and (police) right here. I didnt see that one coming.
UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is Nurmagomedovs teammate at their gymnasium in San Jose, and he calmed Nurmagomedov after the bout.
Two wrongs dont make it proper, Cormier tweeted after the brawl. Conor didnt deserve that. Nobody did. However some issues arent for combat promotion. Faith, household, nation. Throwing stuff in Brooklyn. For Khabib it wasnt combat promotion, it was actually private. Diff tradition man.
Nurmagomedov and McGregor made no secret of their mutual loathing prior to now few months, and the UFC used footage of McGregors assault on the bus to advertise UFC 229, which might be the best-selling pay-per-view card in UFC historical past. McGregor lobbed a number of inventive insults at Nurmagomedov throughout the promotion of this matchup, together with labeling Nurmagomedovs supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, as a snitch terrorist rat.
McGregor was arrested after critically hurting two different fighters with damaged glass from the bus assault in Brooklyn, however Nurmagomedov shrugged it off and gained the light-weight title by beating Al Iaquinta. When McGregor agreed to return to the UFC, he eagerly accepted Nurmagomedov as his opponent.
Earlier than the post-fight insanity, Nurmagomedov firmly asserted his grappling dominance over McGregors hanging ability within the Irish famous persons first MMA bout in 23 months. McGregor hadnt been in a combat since shedding his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather final 12 months, and Nurmagomedov proved an insurmountably powerful opponent for his comeback.
McGregors dislike for Nurmagomedov doubtless fueled his determination to take a combat that created a troublesome stylistic matchup for him. McGregors energy is his hanging, whereas Nurmagomedov is without doubt one of the most dominant grapplers in UFC historical past.
4 safety guards separated the fighters whereas they didnt contact gloves earlier than the bout, and Nurmagomedov went for a takedown within the opening minute whereas dominating the opening spherical.
Nurmagomedov staggered McGregor with a proper hand early within the second spherical, however McGregor received up and landed a flying knee. Nurmagomedov made one other takedown and steadily improved his place all through a dominant spherical, ultimately standing and raining down blows on the inclined McGregor.
Nurmagomedov determined to face and strike with McGregor within the third spherical, apparently unafraid of McGregors famed energy. McGregor landed a number of vital pictures, however Nurmagomedov took them and ultimately reasserted management towards the cage.
McGregor did first rate work within the fourth spherical earlier than Nurmagomedov received management, climbed on McGregors again and at last submitted the previous two-division champion.
All three judges scorecards favored Nurmagomedov 29-27, with the champion profitable the second spherical 10-Eight on all three playing cards. McGregor gained the third spherical on each card.
Earlier than the principle occasion, former interim 155-pound champion Tony Ferguson staked his declare to be the subsequent contender for the light-weight belt with an exciting stoppage victory over Anthony Pettis. Even Ferguson realized that something he had carried out wouldnt get a lot consideration.
Youve received these two knuckleheads over right here making the game look unhealthy, Ferguson stated. What Im doing is cleansing up the game. They wish to be animals in there? Im the dogcatcher.