Khabib’s Dad Vows To ‘Punish’ Him For Role In UFC 229 Brawl

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Just two days ago (October 6),Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor in what was billed as the biggest fight in UFC history.

The main event of UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was highly anticipated and sold out in minutes. But although fans were eagerly awaiting the brawl within the Octagon, they probably did not expect to see it continue outside.

Which is exactly what happened when Nurmagomedov jumped outside of the Octagon after McGregor tapped out in the fourth round. He leapt over the barriers and started attacking members of McGregor’s team, throwing punches in all directions.

As this happened, members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage took advantage of the situation and attacked McGregor inside the Octagon, one of them striking him on the back of the head.

As the chaos ensued, some of Nurmagomedov’s entourage were arrested by police and both fighters were given police escorts out of the arena.

As a result of this, Khabib wasn’t given his belt after UFC President Dana White stated that there were ‘security concerns’.

White said at the post-fight press conference:

Conor was one of the guys who was attacked but Conor refuses to press charges. The guys that they did have, they’ve released.

There were three guys who I think were from Khabib’s team and they were arrested but they were released because Conor didn’t want to press charges.

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Despite McGregor not pressing charges, Nurmagomedov is not getting off that lightly because his father has made it clear that he is not happy with the way his son behaved.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who could not be present in Las Vegas for the fight because he was denied a visa, told REN TV:

I will be very hard on this. I warned him. For me, discipline comes first. You do whatever you want in the Octagon, outside – this is the border of civilians, where there are children, women, strangers.

This is a spectacle. But I am categorically against the fight for octagon. Over the octagon should be a peaceful existence.

He went on to say:

Still, I am responsible for this. This is my team. From the fact that I was not allowed to go to America, I do not relieve myself of responsibility.

Clearly, Nurmagomedov has a lot of explaining to do when he gets home. However, he defended his actions in the post-fight press conference, saying McGregor had insulted his religion and father.

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As reported by The Independent, he said:

I want to say sorry to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This is not my best side.

He talked about my religion, my country, my father. He came to Brooklyn, he broke my bus and nearly killed two people. So why do people still talk about me jumping over the cage? I have shown respect.

I told you guys: his whole team and him, they are tap machines. Today he tapped. Undisputed and undefeated.

This is a respectful sport. This is not a trash-talking sport. I want to change this game. You cannot talk about religions and nations. This for me is very important. Thank you for waiting for me. I know my father is gonna smash me when I go home. Nevada: sorry. Vegas: sorry.

At least he’s apologetic to the sport and his fans, just maybe not to his opponent. I wonder if his apologies will be enough for his father.

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Lucy Connolly

A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).