Khabib, McGregor Agree to Suspensions, Fines For UFC 229 Post-Fight Melee Oct. 6
By ALAN SNEL and CASSANDRA COUSINEAU
LVSportsBiz.com
UFC combatants and post-UFC 229 fight brawlers Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor have agreed to settlements with the Nevada State Athletic Commission in connection to an ugly post-fight skirmish that spilled from the Octagon into the crowd at T-Mobile Arena Oct. 6.
Nurmagomedov agreed to a fine of $500,000, which will be paid from his UFC 229 purse of $2 million, for the brawl that began after the UFC fighter jumped over the Octagon fence to fight McGregor cornerman Dillion Danis.
LVSportsBiz.com obtained the settlements Tuesday from the state athletic agency, with the commission documents outlining the agreements:
Khabib’s suspension would also be reduced from nine months to six months if he does an anti-bullying PSA message that would be done in collaboration with Las Vegas Metro Police.
It’s ironic that the athletic commission wants Nurmagomedov to do an anti-bullying PSA when it was McGregor who was taunting Khabib about his religion, family and country during the smack talk leading up to UFC 229.
Here’s the part of the agreement that talks about the $500,000 fine that will be taken from Nurmagomedov’s purse.
As for the acid-tongued McGregor, who lost to Nurmagomedov by submission in a highly-publicized lightweight fight, he tried to jump over the Octagon but commission inspectors prevented him from jumping over the cage fence.
McGregor agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and a six-month suspension that will end April 6.
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There was no mention in the agreements of McGregor inciting Khabib with his smack talk on family, country and religion.
At the post-fight media conference at UFC 229, UFC President Dana White said trash talking is part of the fight game.
But after the fight and brawl, Nurmagomedov put it this way when he spoke to the media, ““This was not my best side. I’m a human being . . . (McGregor) talked about my religion. He talked about my country. He talked about my father.”
LVSportsBiz.com’s Cassandra Cousineau added her take on the athletic commission’s actions and settlements.
It was a long and jam-packed morning for the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In an epic three-plus hours long hearing, the commission addressed multiple UFC fighter infractions. The hearing began with business going back to Khabib Nurmamedov and Conor McGregor in October’s melee in UFC 229, and concluded with December’s infamous entire card relocation to California due to multiple failed drug tests by light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
After disappointing fans who booked flights and lodging in Las Vegas over the New Year holiday to see him take the cage, Jon Jones will bring his talents back to Nevada in less than two months. Via a unanimous vote of the five members of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Jones (23-1, 1 NC) was granted a one-fight license to compete in UFC 235 at March 2, against Anthony.
Jones tested positive for trace amounts of oral Turinabol multiple times in 2018. He did so once in a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) screening on Aug. 9. USADA then conducted a follow-up on Sept. 18 which resulted in positive readings for the same long-term metabolite. It should be noted that Jones went on to test negative in four consecutive drug tests in Sept., twice in Oct. and again on November 14.
The heart of the Jones case is a measurement of eight picograms. On December 9, notice of failed drug test became the impetus for the UFC packing up its show from T-Mobile in Las Vegas, and relocating the entire production to the Forum in Los Angeles, just six days prior to the event. Jones was making his return from a 2017 drug suspension to meet Alexander Gustafsson in a light heavyweight championship fight on December 29. Many of the commissioners were unable to conduct a hearing due to the holiday schedule, and quickly revoked Jones’ license to compete at UFC 232.
In addition to the one fight license, Jones was required to consent to be tested at least twice a month, and it’s on his own dime. The Commission also ordered rigorous testing throughout 2019.
Just as complicated for the Commission was its time spent addressing Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor and two other fighters suspended and fined by the Commission. McGregor (21-4) received a six-month suspension and was fined $50,000. He will be eligible to return to the octagon as soon as April 6, 2019.
The undefeated Nurmagomedov (27-0) was slapped with a much heavier fine of $500,000 which will end up at $750,000 once he comes out of pocket for his teammates and lawyers. The 30-year-old’s purse was $4 million for the event. Half of which was withheld by the NSAC pending Tuesday’s hearing. He will be eligible on July 6, which typically falls during International Fight Week in Las Vegas as one of the UFC’s’ biggest pay-per-view cards of the year. Nurmagomedov, however, is a practicing Muslim who fasts in observance of Ramadan from May 5 to June 4 in 2019.
Dillon Danis, a McGregor teammate under contract with Bellator, will receive his punishment at a later date.
After the hearing, the Dagastanian, lightweight champion’s manager stated Khabib has no intention on fighting in Nevada again. “He’s done with Vegas for giving his brothers such harsh punishment,” said Ali Abdelaziz. “He loves MSG. Lots of his fans live around there, and New York has always been good to him. He misses fighting in New York.”
The Commission strongly admonished Conor McGregor, who wasn’t in attendance. Chair Anthony Marnell labelled it ’embarrassing’, warning if he continues to ramp up his pre-fight talk, they will consider taking disciplinary action against him- something they’ve never done for verbal actions.
In addition to the near $1 million in fines levied today, you can also take to the bank that McGregor, Nurmagomedov, and Jones will all be headliners for UFC this year. Business as usual for the organization.
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