Conor McGregor suffered the second defeat of his UFC career after being submitted by unbeaten UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in arguably the biggest event in the history of the UFC, but the fight descended into chaos immediately after it ended as both fighters were involved in post-match brawls.
A typically acrimonious build-up to the fight, with McGregor ending up in a New York courtroom after he attempted to attack his rival backstage at a UFC event in April, unsurprisingly led to bad blood between the pair, but no one was prepared for the scenes that followed the fight.
After dominating McGregor throughout the first three rounds, Khabib choked McGregor out to force him into submitting, but reacted by jumping over the Octagon fence to confront his teammates, while members from his own stable jumped into the Octagon to attack McGregor. Re-live all the action here.
It’s been almost two years since the Irishman last fought in the UFC – when he stopped reigning champion Eddie Alvarez in two rounds to claim the lightweight title – although McGregor has certainly been keeping himself busy.
Since becoming the first man in UFC history to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously, McGregor has been involved in a number of controversies, not to mention fighting Floyd Mayweather in the most lucrative boxing match ever.
But his latest challenge is arguably be his toughest to date. Khabib Nurmagomedov boasts an unblemished professional record and currently holds the longest undefeated streak in MMA history, with 26 wins.
So, where's your money? Not long until we find out.
- Nurmagomedov: 26 fights, 26 wins. (8 KOs, 8 submissions, 10 decisions.)
- McGregor: 24 fights, 21 wins, 3 losses. (18 KOs, 1 submission, 2 decisions.)
Main card:
- Main event: Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs Conor McGregor (five rounds for lightweight title)
- Co-main event: Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis (lightweight)
- Ovince Saint Preux vs Dominick Reyes (light heavyweight)
- Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
- Michelle Waterson vs Felice Herrig (women's strawweight)
Prelims:
- Featured prelim: Sean O’Malley vs Jose Alberto Quinonez (featherweight)
- Sergio Pettis vs Jussier Formiga (flyweight)
- Scott Holtzman vs Alan Patrick (lightweight)
- Ryan LaFlare vs Tony Martin (welterweight)
- Lina Lansberg vs Yana Kunitskaya (women's bantamweight)
- Gray Maynard vs Nik Lentz (lightweight)
McGregor mentioned in last month’s press conference about how his ancestors fought the English empire and that his family name was banned for a century by King James.
Nurmagomedov, though, referenced McGregor’s grandfather’s time with the British Merchant Navy.
Nurmagomedov said: “These guys talk about (how) they fight English people but his grandfather worked with the English navy. Now you support (his grandson)? I’m going to change this on Saturday night.
“I have a question for Ireland. What about your language, what about your Irish language? Where’s your language? What’s wrong with your language?
“Are you guys right now with England, you guys change your language. Give me answer someone if you can. It’s very interesting.”
- Main event: Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs Conor McGregor (five rounds for lightweight title)
- Co-main event: Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis (lightweight)
- Ovince Saint Preux vs Dominick Reyes (light heavyweight)
- Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
- Michelle Waterson vs Felice Herrig (women's strawweight)
The UFC lightweight champion turned up promptly at 3pm on Thursday at Park Theater in Las Vegas and completed his media duties before McGregor's arrival.
The Irishman would later blame his tardiness on the Las Vegas traffic but Nurmagomedov was uninterested in hanging around, depriving those in attendance the chance to see the interaction and a face-off between the pair.
He said: "I don't need to wait for nobody. This is 3pm, the fans are here, media are here, everybody is here. If somebody is late, this is not my problem. I don't think about him. I have a schedule, 3pm I am here. I have to make weight and worry about myself."
Essential information:
When is UFC 229?
Khabib vs McGregor will take place on 6 October 2018, or 7 October for UK fans. The fight takes place in Las Vegas, which means it’s going to be a very late night (or very early morning) for all British fight fans.
Where is UFC 229?
Like most of the UFC’s big events, UFC 229 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
It’s the same venue that staged Mayweather vs McGregor, as Nurmagomedov’s unanimous decision victory over Edson Barboza back in December 2017.
What are their records?
- Nurmagomedov: 26 fights, 26 wins. (8 KOs, 8 submissions, 10 decisions.)
- McGregor: 24 fights, 21 wins, 3 losses. (18 KOs, 1 submission, 2 decisions.) (All defeats by way of submission.)
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport.
