LAS VEGAS — UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov entered the media tent outside T-Mobile Arena and immediately apologized for his actions that resulted in a massive melee after his victory over Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event Saturday night.
“I want to say sorry to commission, Nevada. Vegas. This is not my best side. I’m a human being,” Nurmagomedov said, roughly two hours after he capped the biggest fight in UFC history by jumping out of the Octagon to attack one of McGregor’s cornermen, setting off a brawl outside and inside the cage.
Without missing a beat, however, Nurmagomedov began to question why he was being harangued compared with McGregor’s words and actions the past several months.
“Everybody talk about me jump cage. What about he talk about my religion, talk about my country, talk about father, come to Brooklyn & attack bus. What about this? What about this (crap)?” Nurmagomedov said.
UFC President Dana White said three people affiliated with Nurmagomedov were arrested, but McGregor refused to press charges. All three were released.
One video captured a man jumping into the Octagon and cold-cocking McGregor twice from behind.
McGregor did not appear at the press conference.
“Eighteen years, biggest night ever, I couldn’t be more disappointed,” White said.
White said any fines and suspensions will be handled by the Nevada Athletic Commission, but he expects both to be levied against Nurmagomedov.
White added that the commission was withholding Nurmagomedov’s check – he was reportedly being paid $2 million – and the UFC would consider stripping him of the belt should his suspension be long enough to warrant it.
The feud between Nurmagomedov and McGregor has been simmering since McGregor, joined by several friends, attacked a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other UFC fighters in Brooklyn in April.
A press conference in New York two weeks ago featured McGregor, wild-eyed and aggressive, belittling a mild-mannered Nurmagomedov, along with his father, his Muslim religion and his ties to Russian leaders.
The rivalry had turned from professional to personal.
White said the incident reached a boiling point Saturday night after one of McGregor’s cornermen, allegedly Bellator fighter Dillon Danis, began talking trash to Nurmagomedov (27-0).
The undefeated Dagestan 155-pounder had just forced McGregor (21-4) to tap out to a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. What should have been a stellar night for Nurmagomedov, White and the UFC was ruined by the wild brawl, which had some fans scaling the barrier to enter the melee.
“My father is going to smash me when I come home,” Nurmagomedov said, adding that he had already received a congratulatory phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nurmagomedov then abruptly left the press conference with his title in tow.
“I should be feeling a lot better right now than I do … very good week for everybody,” White said. “Really sucks to end it like this.”