MAYHEM ERUPTS AFTER McGREGOR LOSS
LAS VEGAS — Khabib Nurmagomedov retained the UFC lightweight championship with a fourth-round submission of Conor McGregor on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, but that wasn’t the main event of the evening.
After making McGregor submit with a rear-naked choke late in the fourth round, Nurmagomedov immediately ran and jumped over the cage trying to get at rival MMA fighter Dillon Danis, who was sitting near cage side and taunting Nurmagomedov.
When Nurmagomedov spilled into crowd, things quickly escalated, with fights breaking out in the stands and inside the octagon, where McGregor was taking cheap shots from Nurmagomedov’s team members.
Law enforcement rushed into the stands and into the octagon, where skirmishes were breaking out like brush fires. McGregor reportedly was hit repeatedly in the back of the head by another MMA fighter, who entered the octagon from the stands.
It was reminiscent of the infamous Bite Fight of 1997, when a mini-riot erupted after Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield on the ear in their rematch for the heavyweight championship. That was at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night was just as terrifying.
Fights were still breaking out in the octagon as Nurmagomedov was being escorted out of the arena by a human shield protect-
ing him from thrown objects. McGregor was also surrounded by security when he left the ring looking bloodied and dazed.
Three individuals reportedly were arrested. The Nevada State Athletic Commission will likely meet soon to determine punishment, which could range from a hefty suspension and fine.
The bad blood between the two had been building since April, when McGregor ventured all the way from Ireland to confront Nurmagomedov during media day for UFC 223 at Barclays Center. McGregor hurled a dolly at a bus on which Nurmagomedov was a passenger along with several other MMA fighters. Damage was done to the bus and several fighters were injured by shattered glass.
Nurmagomedov admitted before the fight he was still angry and wanted revenge after McGregor had harsh words to say about Nurmagomedov and his family. Nurmagomedov may have won this battle, but it seems as if their rivalry is just getting started.
UFC President Dana White did not present the winner with his belt as is the custom, instead ordering everyone to their locker rooms. White later told ESPN the Nevada State Athletic Commission is withholding Nurmagomedov’s purse, but that McGregor has been paid.
The ending marred what was a brilliant fight by Nurmagomedov, who followed his game plan perfectly. He should have left the ring filled with satisfaction.
Nurmagomedov was making the first defense of the lightweight title he won last April at Barclays Center when he defeated late replacement Al Iaquinta by decision at UFC 223. The matchup against McGregor was needed to validate that title. McGregor was stripped of the title because of inactivity to make it available for Nurmagomedov.
He repeatedly took McGregor to the ground and exhausted the challenger with his wrestling skills and constant pressure. He even went toe-to-toe with the Irishman, unafraid of his power.
McGregor was nearly dropped in the second round from a right hand and never had Nurmagomedov seriously hurt in the fight.
By the fourth round it was only a matter of time before a tiring McGregor couldn’t defend himself, allowing Nurmagomedov to take his back and lock in the submission. Then all hell broke loose.