Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department releases statement on UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor brawl

The UFC 229 post-main event brawl resulted in no arrests.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told MMA Fighting that following a brawl after the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor headliner Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena that no one wanted to press charges and none of the principals were arrested.

“LVMPD officers assisted with breaking up several small fights that took place after Saturday night’s UFC main event in Las Vegas,” the statement read. “After all parties were separated, no one involved wished to press charges and no arrests occurred.”

UFC president Dana White said at the post-fight press conference that three men from Nurmagomedov’s team were detained by police after the melee, but McGregor did not want to press charges, so none were arrested. McGregor’s manager Audie Attar confirmed that with MMA Fighting on Sunday morning.

Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by fourth-round submission at UFC 229 to retain the UFC lightweight title. After McGregor tapped, Nurmagomedov said something to him, then turned to McGregor’s corner. With McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis egging him on, Nurmagomedov threw his mouthpiece in their direction against the fence, then climbed over the cage and jumped toward Danis. A wild skirmish ensued.

Inside the Octagon, McGregor climbed the cage in the direction of his corner and he was joined there by a member of Nurmagomedov’s team. McGregor threw a punch at the man. Then two other Nurmagomedov training partners entered the cage, attempting to attack McGregor. One landed a punch from behind on the former UFC lightweight champion.

The fights were broken up and both McGregor and Nurmagomedov were escorted from the area by police and security guards. White would not put the title on Nurmagomedov, fearing that it would incite further violence. Nurmagomedov was escorted out with fans pelting debris onto him.

The Nevada Athletic Commission will investigate the incident, executive director Bob Bennett told MMA Fighting on Saturday night, and Nurmagomedov’s purse is being withheld pending that probe. Others could also be disciplined, Bennett said.

“We’ll leave no stones unturned,” he said.

Nurmagomedov is likely facing a fine and suspension from the commission. At the post-fight presser, he apologized to the city of Las Vegas, the state and the UFC. White said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval was in attendance at the fights.

Sandoval spokesperson Mary-Sarah Kinner confirmed that Sandoval was at UFC 229 and left following the main event. She referred further questions to the UFC.