Nevada fight regulators have extended the suspensions of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor in the wake of the UFC 229 post-fight brawl.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) chairman announced on Wednesday, Oct. 24, that the initial 10-day suspensions meted out to both fighters on Oct. 15 will continue until an investigation is complete.
The two fighters are required to attend a disciplinary hearing in Las Vegas on Dec. 10, said NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell III, according to The Guardian.
Marnell said both fighters could face fines and, potentially, a lifetime ban.
The commission also released $1 million of Nurmagomedov’s $2 million dollar purse after putting a freeze on it following the Oct. 6 bout in Las Vegas that ended in an all-in brawl.
McGregor immediately received his $3 million purse, a decision NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell said the commission would not have made if it had seen all relevant footage of the post-fight melee when the commission was considering whether to release the funds.
“I understand that the Nevada State Athletic Commission is doing a thorough investigation, which I am confident will benefit my client, Conor McGregor,” said Audie Attar, the fighter’s manager, according to ESPN.
Nevada’s deputy attorney general, Caroline Bateman, laid out the NSAC’s current case against the fighters, which alleges their actions constitute a “discredit to unarmed combat” and “unsportsmanlike conduct,” as well as violating Nevada law.
Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov clinched a fourth-round submission win against Conor “The Notorious” McGregor to retain his UFC lightweight title before scaling the Octagon cage and attacking Dillon Danis, a member of McGregor’s entourage, sparking the brawl.
Several members of Nurmagomedov’s crew were arrested, but released after McGregor declined to press charges.
Possible Set-up?
In earlier reporting, Nurmagomedov said he believes the UFC may have staged McGregor’s attack on his bus that eventually led to the two mixed martial arts fighters facing off in Las Vegas.
McGregor and several a buildup to their UFC 229 clash.
“For me, there are a lot of questions. I don’t know whether the UFC made it all on purpose or not,” Nurmagomedov said.
“But they started to attack (the bus), break (windows). It was a crowd of around 20 men. Inside (the bus) we had three security guards. And as you can see (in the video), there were security guards outside as well, trying to stop Conor. In my opinion, I give 70 percent that it was a set-up,” he added.
NSAC executive director Bob Bennett, meanwhile, blamed the fighters’ managers for the brawl.
“You should know that the Nevada State Athletic Commission made a concerted effort on two independent occasions to speak with both managers of both fighters and tell them, ‘Listen, we don’t want any problems during the ceremonial weigh-in and at the end of the fight,’” Bennett told MMAjunkie. “I specifically spoke with them.
“We didn’t want to be in a position that we’re in today had they would have managed their fighters in a professional manner. Unfortunately, they didn’t take heed to my comments, and that’s why we’re here today.”
The NSAC’s Marnell said anyone who was licensed in connection with the event and participated in the brawl could face punishment.
UFC Dana White has expressed disappointment at those involved in the melee and promised harsh consequences, including the permanent release of several of Nurmagomedov’s teammates under contract.
Reuters contributed to this report.
