LAS VEGAS, NV - In a strange turn of events, October 6, 2018 turned out to be a wild ride for MMA fans. At UFC 229, the most entertaining fight of the night was not Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s title defense against Conor McGregor. Instead, that award can go to the post-fight brawl consisting of both Nurmagomedov’s and McGregor’s training squads.

After a dominant showing by Nurmagomedov in a four-round submission victory, the current Lightweight Champion shocked all 20,000 people in attendance by jumping the cage and entering the crowd to attack Dillon Danis, McGregor’s jiu-jitsu coach. While it is unclear as to what provoked the attack, Danis was not the only member of McGregor’s team to be assaulted post-match. McGregor was attacked by three members of Khabib’s crew. After a scuffle with Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Nurmagomedov’s cousin, two more of Nurmagomedov’s “cornermen”, Zubaira Tukhugov and Esed Emiragaev, jumped the cage and assaulted McGregor before security successfully separated everyone.

The shocking events following the main events ending were not entirely surprising. McGregor was arrested in April of this year for attacking a bus which was transporting Nurmagomedov. This was likely the beginning of the drama surrounding their fight and many have pointed out that McGregor and his team brought the post-fight brawl upon themselves. While it is unclear who is at fault for the incident, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has withheld Nurmagomedov’s pay for the fight and is planning on filing a formal complaint against both Nurmagomedov and McGregor with a final hearing expected to be held in November.