UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov received a nine month suspension while Irish lightweight contender Conor McGregor was handed a 6 month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Tuesday afternoon for their post-UFC 229 brawl.
The NSAC also handed Nurmagomedov a $500,000 USD fine, which will be taken from his purse, which has not yet been dispersed to him. A $50,000 USD fine was issued to McGregor. The suspensions are retroactive to Oct. 6, 2018, the date of UFC 229 and the brawl incident.
politics forever
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 29, 2019
Straight left hand inside the attackers jab.
He attempted to use the big security guard that’s in all the movies as cover, but I could smell him a mile away and landed flush down the pipe.
The final blow of the night UFC 229 in association with McGregor Sports and Entertainment. pic.twitter.com/h4GO46oX3a— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 30, 2019
I am thankful for the Nevada athletic commissions fair assessment and handling of the brawl incident.
It was not my intention to land the final blow of the night on my opponent’s blood relative. It’s just how it played out.
I look forward to competing again soon.
Thank you all.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 30, 2019
Nurmagomedov has an opportunity to reduce his suspension by up to three months if he participates in an commission approved anti-bullying public service announcement. He would need to send in the PSA to the commission by February to receive the full three month reduction.
In addition, two people of Nurmagomedov’s camp, Abubakar Numagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov, were suspended for a year apiece.
McGregor has made headlines recently using social media to buzz for a fight with Donald Cerrone.
UFC president Dana White later said on ESPN that he thought the suspensions were “a little harsh, but it is what it is.”