The only people receiving apologies from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp are those working for the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Nurmagomedov has come in for plenty of criticism for hopping the fence after his submission victory over Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 229 in order to confront McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis.
Danis had boasted that he is a better grappler than Nurmagomedov in the build-up to Saturday’s grudge match and ‘The Eagle’ didn’t take kindly to Danis’ taunting from cageside this weekend.
While Nurmagomedov was busy getting in Danis’ face, several of the undefeated Russian’s teammates descended on the Octagon to assault McGregor.
It was an unseemly act and nobody came out looking good but Nurmagomedov’s manager has explained the behaviour of his client in an Instagram statement on Sunday evening.
“I want to congratulate my brother @khabib_nurmagomedov The undisputed, undefeated pound for pound king,” Abdelaziz wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boo7GRBh3Gr/?utm_source=ig_embed
“There was never 2 Kings from beginning, only one king. This is not the way we want to celebrate such a dominant performance but when you talk about people’s country, family and religion and intentionally try to kill someone like he said and the cornermen running their mouths after, this is the fight game & shit happens.
“The fans got an amazing fight and a great show. I want apologize to the Nevada athletic commission, the governor of Nevada and I want to thank Las Vegas police department and security for doing such an unbelievable job. Now everyone understands who’s the amateur here.”
At the time of writing, Nurmagomedov has yet to be paid by the NSAC while McGregor has been paid in full.
It remains entirely possible that Nurmagomedov receives a lengthy suspension for his antics and if that happens, the UFC may well strip the Dagestani of his lightweight title.
UFC President Dana White said: “The NSAC is going to hand down some type of fine or suspension, we’ll see. I don’t know. If he gets suspended, it depends how long it is but yeah he will probably get stripped if it’s a long suspension.”
