I didn’t get to watch UFC 229 live unfortunately, but I did read up and watch videos of the aftermath soon after I was pau hana from work.
Almost immediately I got the notification that Khabib Nurmagomedov had defeated Conor McGregor in what was hyped as UFC biggest event yet, I then heard about the mayhem that ensued.
Part of the hype of the UFC 229 main event was that McGregor and some of his friends attacked a bus Nurmagomedov was in during a UFC event in New York back in April.
Apparently, there was beef between the two camps and UFC president Dana White would let them settle it in the octagon.
The fight itself was great and did not disappoint. What happened afterwards though, well, let’s just say it wasn’t ideal for the UFC.
Right after Nurmagomedov chocked out McGregor in the fourth round for the win and retain his UFC lightweight championship, he immediately shouted words toward McGregor’s cornermen and threw his mouthguard at them. Seconds after that, he jumped out of the octagon and attacked one of McGregors camp members in the crowd.
As the crowd was in a state of frenzy, people from Nurmagomedov’s camp then made their way inside the octagon and attacked McGregor.
It got the the point that as Nurmagomedov demanded that White put his title belt around his waist and that he be announced the winner, White opted to not do so thinking the crowd would go in a state of madness if that happened in the octagon.
In the immediate aftermath, the Nevada State Athletic Commission withheld Nurmagomedov’s purse of $2 million and began an investigation in the matter. McGregor did receive his $3 million purse.
It was also reported that three members of Nurmagomedov’s camp were detained by police but were released because McGregor refused to press charges.
On Thursday, the Associated Press reported both Nurmagomedov and McGregor were handed suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission of at least 10 days starting Oct. 15. ESPN reported a hearing will take place Oct. 24 to vote whether both fighters will be indefinitely suspended pending the results of its investigation.
Both fighters can appeal at the hearing.
Also on Thursday, Nurmagomedov took to social media to directly express to the UFC that he is angry he was punished while McGregor and his camp were not following the bus incident in April.
In an Instagram post, Nurmagomedov also threatened to leave the UFC if the promotion were to cut ties with featherweight Zubaira Tukhugov, a teammate who was involved in the melee at UFC 229.
ESPN reported Tukhugov was scheduled to face McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov in a UFC bout, but that fight has been canceled.
McGregor has clamored for a rematch. If Nurmagomedov hasn’t publicly spoke on a potential rematch yet, I’m sure he would not disagree.
Yahoo! Sports reported that UFC 229 shattered all previous pay-per-view records. Early industry reports indicate the event will close in at around 2.4 million buys, and that the next closest event was UFC 202 when McGregor headlined in a rematch against Nate Diaz which had 1.6 million buys.
With those kinds of numbers, even despite all the crap that White must be dealing with at the moment, he would have to make this happen again as soon as possible.
But it all depends on how the chips fall after the Oct. 24 hearing.
Also, White voiced concerns following UFC 229 whether both fighters would still get visas to fight in the U.S. again.
Assuming any suspensions aren’t too lengthy, both fighters are still employed by the UFC and that both parties agree, I believe it will be a matter of when — not if — the two will meet in the octagon again.
The bad blood between the fighters and camps is still boiling, and I would think White and the UFC will want to cash in while the iron is hot.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
The Russian was supposed to fight Max Holloway. From Waianae, Oahu. But last minute Max had to pull out because of an injury. I saw Max Holloway running on a Sunday mid-morining once. On Kalakaua avenue. He was training for a fight. I would guess so.