As the dust settled at T-Mobile Arean following the Khabib Nurmagomedov's fourth-round submission victory over Conor McGregor, the UFC and MMA fans demanded answers as to why the Russian and his entourage felt the need to go after McGregor and his camp.
Needing to get a couple of parting shots despite making McGregor tap, Khabib jumped out of the ring and attacked McGregor's team before members of his team jumped Conor inside the octagon.
Both fighters were escorted with a heavy police presence into the bowels of the home of Vegas Golden Knights. Eventually, Khabib addressed the media as to why they felt the need to enact the violent acts after apologizing, citing McGregor's trash talking and the infamous bus accident as the main reasons.
“I want to say sorry to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and sorry to Vegas.”
“This is not my best side."
"He talked about my religion, my country, my father. He came to Brooklyn, he broke bus and nearly killed two people. So why do people still talk about me jumping over the cage? I have shown respect.
"This is a respectful sport. This is not a trash-talking sport. I want to change this game. You cannot talk about religions and nations. This for me is very important. Thank you for waiting for me. I know my father is gonna smash me when I go home."
Dana White told reporters afterwards that this the incident was "a big deal."
“This is the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company," said the UFC president.
White noted that Khabib could be suspended and stripped of his belt. A decision will be made after he meets with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The three members of his crew that attacked McGregor were arrested and later released after McGregor said he wouldn't be pressing charges.
The fight was the most watched event in UFC history. The NSAC withheld Khabib's $2 million payout purse depsite handing over McGregor's $3 million cheque.
