Khabib Nurmagomedov Defends His Actions After Engaging in Post Fight Brawl at UFC 229
Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t exactly sure why everybody is so upset about what he did following his win at UFC 229 on Saturday night.
After moving to 27-0 with a fourth round submission win against Conor McGregor, Nurmagomedov ended up jumping into the crowd to go after cornerman Dillon Danis before a huge brawl broke out both inside and outside the cage.
Several members of Nurmagomedov’s team were arrested and later released after McGregor refused to press charges. As for Nurmagomedov, he could face potential sanctions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission including a suspension or fines for his actions.
Still, Nurmagomedov can’t understand why everybody is paying attention to what he did after McGregor’s hurtful and hateful comments in the lead up to their fight.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to [Nevada] Athletic Commission, sorry to Vegas, I know this is not my best side,” Nurmagomedov said at the UFC 229 post fight press conference. “I’m a human being. I don’t understand how people can talk about I jump on the cage — what about he talked about my religion, he talked about my country, he talked about my father, he come to Brooklyn and he broke bus, he almost killed a couple people, what about this shit? Why people talk about I jump over the cage? Why people still talk about this? I don’t understand.
“My father teach me, you always have to be respectful. My whole team in California where I train for seven years, everybody knows who I am, all my friends. Everybody who knows me knows who I am. I told him and his whole team and him, they tap machines. I told you guys when I put him wrong way, he’s going to tap. What happened today? They call him two time world champion, two weight classes, but today he tapped. Belt is here, undisputed, undefeated lightweight champion.”
Nurmagomedov also added that part of his goal in dismantling McGregor at UF C229 was an attempt to change the culture that the Irishman made popular when he reached superstar status in the sport.
“Media a little bit change MMA. This is a respect sport, this is not a trash talking sport,” Nurmagomedov said. “I told you before guys, I want to change this game. I don’t want people to talk shit about opponents, talk shit about his father, religion — you cannot talk about religion, you cannot talk about nation. You cannot talk about this stuff. This is for me very important.
“I know my father going to smash me when I go home. Nevada, sorry, Vegas, sorry.”
Following the melee, the Nevada Commission withheld Nurmagomedov’s pay until a full investigation was conducted to look into what unfolded on Saturday night.
There was no further statement made by the commission, although they did collect footage of the incident from the UFC to begin reviewing in the near future.
