The ugly scenes that marred what was to be a showpiece event for the UFC at last night’s 229 event in Las Vegas last night were extraordinary and really are worth a second look.
After the undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov beat the former double belt-holder Conor McGregor by submission in the fourth round of their title-fight to move to 27-0, chaos reigned down in sin city.
The Russian fighter launched himself out of the cage soon after winning and into the Irishman’s entourage, who he had been having exchanges with.
Shortly thereafter, a number of Khabib’s entourage entered the ring and assaulted McGregor.
What’s remarkable though is that this isn’t the first time that Khabib and his entourage have been involved in an incident like this one.
Way back in 2013 at the World Series of Fighting event the Russian and a number of other men got involved in a brawl the the Diaz brothers, Nick and Nate, who are of course themselves both fighters.
Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s brother, had been fighting on the card of that promotion when the two groups, who had talked disparagingly about each other a number of times, came to blows.
Have a look at the scene below - remind you of anything?
This might go some way to explaining Nate Diaz, who has fought McGregor twice himself, having a rather sour comment to make about his hopes for the weekends bout before the event. “I hope they both lose,” he said.
