The passion around the battle between Habib Nurmagomedov and Conor MacGregor has not abated until now. This time, the Russian himself added fuel to the fire, who decided to support his colleague and sparring partner Zubair Tuhugov.
The 27-year-old native of Grozny, along with his cousin Nurmagomedov Abubakar, as well as another UFC fighter, Islam Makhachev, became participants in a fight that occurred on the octagon right after the end of the fight. The company jumped over the ring netting and attacked the Irishman who had acknowledged their defeat, who tried to fight them off. As a result, all three were detained by the Las Vegas police, but soon released.
Nevertheless, Tukhugov will still be punished for his actions. October 11, it became known that the Russian will be suspended from participation in competitions held under the auspices of the organization.
The sparring partner Nurmagomedova planned to meet with Russian representative Artyom Lobov already at the end of October. For Tukhugov, this fight should have been the first since 2016, when he was accused of doping.
The reaction of Nurmagomedov was not long in coming. On his Instagram page, he sharply condemned the UFC decision, standing up to protect his friend.
“Why is my team being punished when everybody fought?” I did not provoke a brawl, but only completed what I started with an opponent. If you think that I will be silent, then you are mistaken. The battle of Zubair was canceled just because he attacked Conor. However, this happened after the Irish hit one more of my brother, ”the athlete wrote.
In addition, Nurmagomedov recalled an episode with an attack on a bus that occurred in New York in April 2018. Then MacGregor, along with members of his team, broke the window of the vehicle in which there were several MMA fighters, including the Russian himself. As a result of the incidents, several athletes received grass, but his perpetrator managed to avoid serious punishment, including from the UFC.
Despite the fact that then Nurmagomedov was completely satisfied with the outcome of the case, he now rebuked the organization’s leadership in hypocrisy and inaction.
Summing up, the Russian threatened to terminate the contract with the UFC, if the organization nevertheless decides to stop cooperating with Tuhugov. He added that he did not need a fee for the fight with McGregor.
“It’s not customary in Russia to leave ours. Therefore, by dismissing him, know that you will lose me too. Do not forget to send a broken contract, otherwise I will tear it up myself. We defended our honor, and this is the most important thing! And for the brothers, we go to the end, ”the fighter concluded.
Earlier, his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov stood up to protect members of the Nurmagomedov team.
“In my opinion, both in the skirmish and in the fight inside the octagon, both parties took part equally. In this regard, it is not clear to me why everyone makes claims exclusively to us. It is worth remembering that McGregor himself did not differ exemplary behavior. He also jumped off the stage, threatened Jose Aldo, but at that moment, for some reason, his actions didn’t cause any complaints and were even welcomed. Accordingly, no penalties followed. I think that there should be no double standards here, ”the coach told RT in an interview.
At the moment, none of the representatives of the UFC did not respond to the ultimatum put forward by the Russian. The Disciplinary Committee continues to investigate the incident provoked by Nurmagomedov. His father did not rule out the possibility of disqualifying his son, but expressed the opinion that regardless of the sanctions imposed, the truth will remain on his side.
“I think that the entire world community and people who love mixed martial arts, saw that Habib finished the business in the octagon and the opponent gave up. And only then he got out of the cell. For one and a half - two months, Conor insulted our country, faith, parents. I don't even know how my son endured it all. In the Caucasus, it is said that when it comes to the honor of a country, of a kind, you have to show that you are a man. As for a possible disqualification from the UFC, then nothing can be done, such is life, ”quotes the words of Nurmagomedov Sr. Media.Az.