The Nevada Athletic Commission handed out punishments from October’s UFC 229 melee with Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmogomedov. The NAC handed out its punishments at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Conor McGregor, who was represented by former UFC and WSOF exec Michael Mersch, received a $50,000 fine and a six-month suspension as a result of his part in the post-main event fight that broke out after his bout with Khabib. Chairman Anthony Marnell III stated that McGregor was defending himself during the melee but indicated that his engagement with Khabib’s corner did not make him an innocent victim. Executive Director Bob Bennett also stated that the pre-fight comments and trash talk from McGregor likely incited the issues.
Khabib Nurmagomedov received a nine-month suspension and a $500,000 fine for his part in the post-fight antics at UFC 229. Khabib had climbed the cage after defeating McGregor to go after Dillon Danis in the crowd. The commission indicated that the suspension could be reduced by up to 3 months if he is to do an anti-bullying PSA that must be approved by the commission.
Both Khabib and Connor suspensions are retroactive to October 6, 2018 and would be able to return by April 6, 2019 (assuming Khabib does the PSA).
Khabib’s cornermen, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were suspended a year by the commission and given $25,000 fines. Each became physically involved in the post-fight. Assuming their suspensions are also retroactive, they would not be able to return until October 2019.
Payout Perspective:
The sentences allow for Conor and Khabib to return to fight this spring which is optimal for the UFC. If you are to interpret Khabib’s social media, he does not like the fact that he was given a stiffer sentence than McGregor. Yet, one might anticipate a return fight between the two set for July’s International Fight Week.
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