LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia is escorted out of the arena after defeating Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout by way of submission during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor indefinitely suspended; NSAC to have further ruling in December
There has been an initial ruling handed down to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor for their roles in the post-fight melee following their lightweight title fight at UFC 229. The Nevada State Athletic Commission ruled in a hearing on Wednesday, that both Nurmagomedov and McGregor will be suspended indefinitely as the investigation surrounding their brawl continues.
On top of the indefinite suspensions for both fighters, the NSAC did rule to give half ($1 million) of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s purse back to him after they initially held his full purse on the night of the brawl. During the hearing, the NSAC determined that Nurmagomedov’s actions were the spark that led to the brawl following his title defense victory over McGregor.
The NSAC would go on to rule that another hearing has been set for December 10, and both McGregor and Nurmagomedov will be required to attend the hearing. Anthony Marnell, who is the chairman of the NSAC, said in the hearing that if he had the video he has now on the night of the melee, the NSAC would’ve held McGregor’s purse from him as well and not just Nurmagomedov’s.
Following the hearing, NSAC chief Bob Bennett spoke with MMAJunkie where he stated that the NSAC spoke with the managers of both fighters and made it clear that they wanted to avoid any problems before or after the fight between both camps.
“You should know that the Nevada State Athletic Commission made a concerted effort on two independent occasions to speak with both managers of both fighters and tell them, ‘Listen, we don’t want any problems during the ceremonial weigh-in and at the end of the fight, I specifically spoke with them.”
The initial hearing was more of a beginning point than any real resolution for the post-fight melee, but the NSAC isn’t taking the situation lightly and both fighters face anything from fines to suspension in the ruling come December, 10.
