Khabib Nurmagomedov was in for a huge pay check at UFC 229. The lightweight champion was set to fight the biggest star in the UFC in Conor McGregor, and make a reported $2 million fight purse.
Following the fight, which Khabib Nurmagomedov won by fourth-round submission, he jumped out of the Octagon and attacked McGregor’s corner, while Nurmagomedov’s team jumped into the Octagon and punched McGregor.
It was a messy scene, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) was not happy. The NSAC will now be withholding this $2 million fight purse from Khabib Nurmagomedov — a big blow to say the least.
Dana White addresses the media after the chaotic conclusion to #UFC229
advertisement – continue reading belowWatch the interview in full here: https://t.co/UnGTCdS8FO pic.twitter.com/IH2e7N7mjs
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 7, 2018
“So, I just spoke to Bob Bennett of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and he told me they looked at some stuff already,” Dana White said back stage after UFC 229. “They have made the decision they are not going to withhold Conor McGregor’s cheque. Conor McGregor has been paid, he has been given his cheque. They are withholding Khabib’s. Okay. That’s it, that’s all they told me, I just didn’t want you guys to leaving here tonight [thinking] they are withholding both cheques when it isn’t true. He went in, he interviewed Conor and they looked at some tapes and made a decision to give Conor McGregor his cheque, they’re still withholding Khabib’s.”
It’s going to be interesting to see what the next few weeks hold for Khabib Nurmagomedov after this chaotic turn of events. There is likely a fine and very possibly a suspension in his future.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/7/2018.