Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor Suspensions Handed Down for UFC 229 Brawl
Suspensions were handed down from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov on Tuesday for the melee that broke out following their UFC 229 fight in October.
Nurmagomedov was suspended nine months and fined $500,000 by the NSAC for his role in the post-fight brawl. His suspension can be reduced to six months if he cooperates in the filming and distributing of an anti-bullying PSA. The suspension is retroactive to Oct. 6. McGregor was suspended six months and fined $50,000 for his role in the brawl, with his suspension expiring on April 6.
Following the announcement of his suspension, Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told ESPN on Tuesday night that the fighter is not interested in competing in the state of Nevada again.
"He's done with Vegas for giving his brothers such harsh punishment," Abdelaziz said. "He loves MSG [Madison Square Garden]. Lots of his fans live around there, and New York has always been good to him. He misses fighting in New York."
Nurmagomedov (27–0) defeated McGregor (21–4) in a fourth-roun98d submission on Oct. 6, but following the win, he jumped out of the octagon, sparking a brawl. McGregor's team had reportedly been trash-talking Nurmagomedov, and then Nurmagomedov's teammates jumped into the octagon to attack McGregor.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani spoke to Abdelaziz following the verdict. Abdelaziz said the length of the suspension was fair for McGregor and Nurmagomedov, but not for his teammates. On the fine difference, Abdelaziz said, "I don't think it's fair. Khabib gets $500k and Conor gets $50k? I think it's b-------."
Abubakar Nurmagomedov, the Russian’s teammate who jumped the cage, was suspended one year by the NSAC and fined $25,000. Nurmagomedov's other teammate, Zubaira Tukhugov, was suspended a year and fined $25,000 by the NSAC.
Abdelaziz told Helwani that Nurmagomedov is paying his own fine, his two teammates’ fines and $200,000 for his lawyer.
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In October, UFC president Dana White told TMZ that Nurmagomedov will "absolutely" not be stripped of his lightweight title despite his role in the brawl.
