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Both Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor facing Nevada commission discipline after UFC 229 mess

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Khabib Nurmagomedov is not the only one facing discipline from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC).

Conor McGregor is also facing a complaint from the commission to the state attorney general and potential punishment, NAC executive director Bob Bennett confirmed with MMA Fighting on Monday. ESPN was the first to report the news.

The commission withheld Nurmagomedov’s $2 million guaranteed purse from UFC 229, following his role in a brawl that broke out after the main event. McGregor’s purse — $3 million — was not withheld. Commission chairman Anthony Marnell said because one fighters’ purse was withheld, the commission will move quickly with the complaints, promising them sometime in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The decision to file a complaint against McGregor was made after reviewing tape that was not immediately available on fight night, Marnell said.

Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in the fourth round Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to retain the UFC lightweight title. Afterward, things went haywire. Nurmagomedov and McGregor’s corner got into a verbal back and forth with Nurmagomedov then hopping the cage and going after McGregor teammate Dillon Danis.

Inside the Octagon, McGregor ran over to his corner and climbed on top of the cage. He was joined there by a member of Nurmagomedov’s team. McGregor threw a punch at the man while up there and he hit back. Then, two other members of Nurmagomedov’s team climbed into the cage, attempting to attack McGregor.

Marnell said the commission is also looking into measures to discipline the men who entered the cage. He said he expects to hold disciplinary hearings no later than the end of November for McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and security separated both sides, eventually escorting McGregor and Nurmagomedov backstage. The police said Monday that no arrests were made and no one wanted to press charges.

Both Nurmagomedov and McGregor will be facing a suspension and fine from the Nevada commission. UFC president Dana White said Saturday night that Nurmagomedov could be stripped of the title if he is suspended for a lengthy amount of time.

McGregor was arrested in April for throwing a dolly at a UFC fighter bus that Nurmagomedov was riding. The bus window shattered and other UFC fighters were injured. McGregor pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in July.

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