Khabib Nurmagomedov threw away a life time opportunity of being celebrated as the first Muslim and Russian to have ever been crowned UFC champion, as the brawl he started after beating McGregor, inside the Vegas arena , marred what would have been a wonderful night, as the ugly incident took away all that shine from the fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov showed class and dominance in the Championship fight, as to the surprise of everyone, the tough man and undefeated Khabib took down his man Cornor McGregor in the opening minutes, using his boxing skills and techniques to pin down his man to a submission from the Irishman.
In the 4th round, Khabib Nurmagomedov was done, as McGregor hit a tap to surrender from the fight after a killer pin from Khabib.
But not satisfied with the outcome of the fight, Khabib in a superman-like manner, jumped out of the cage and went straight to Conor McGregor’s team, and although he missed his flying kick, that action ignited a brawl in the arena as fans and both Khabib and McGregor team engaged in what looked more like a street fight.
The police and security men present were able to cut off the brawl as Khabib and McGregor were escorted out of the arena by the police and bodyguards of each teams.
Three of Nurmagomedov’s party were arrested but later released
and UFC president Dana White said McGregor had refused to press charges.
Earlier White could be heard telling the 30-year-old winner he could not receive his belt in the octagon as he feared it may incite trouble among those present at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
He later said the Nevada State Commission, which sanctioned the bout, has withheld Nurmagomedov’s fight payment pending an investigation.
“I know if we put the belt on him [Nurmagomedov] in the octagon there’ll be things thrown,” said White. “I just said let’s just try and get him out of here.
“Police officers were getting punched, security guys were getting punched. I actually think police and security did an incredible job. Khabib jumped over the cage like one of those Parkour guys. What are you expected to do? ”
What was billed as the biggest bout in UFC history, one set to break the organisation’s pay-per-view record and where McGregor returned after a 693-day absence, will now prompt difficult questions for White and the company
Nurmagomedov now unbeaten in 27 MMA bouts, added to his own reputation by landing the lightweight belt which once belonged to ‘The Notorious’ as fans are already eyeing a possible rematch ..