UFC 229: Khabib Nurmagomedov contrite, Dana White disappointed after postfight brawl

UFC 229: Khabib Nurmagomedov contrite, Dana White disappointed after postfight brawl

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov prepares to jump the fence and attack Conor McGregor’d corner during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by submission then attacked McGregor’s team. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Conor McGregor is taken to the locker room after being defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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  • Khabib Nurmagomedov is lead away from Conor McGregor’d corner during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by submission then attacked McGregor’s team. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov jumps over the cage to attack Conor McGregor’d corner UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by submission then attacked McGregor’s team. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Conor McGregor, right, punches Khabib Nurmagomedov during a lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/John Locher)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov, red, chokes Conor McGregor to win via submission during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stopage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stopage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stopage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stopage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stopage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Scott Holtzman, red, vs. Alan Patrick during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Scott Holtzman, red, vs. Alan Patrick during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Scott Holtzman, red, vs. Alan Patrick during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Scott Holtzman, red, vs. Alan Patrick during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov submits Conor McGregor to retain the title during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov prepares to jump the fence and attack Conor McGregor’d corner during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by submission then attacked McGregor’s team. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominick Reyes, blue, defeats Ovince Saint Preux via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Ferguson, red, defeats Anthony Pettis via TKO, corner stoppage, during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominick Reyes, blue, defeats Ovince Saint Preux via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominick Reyes, blue, defeats Ovince Saint Preux via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominick Reyes, blue, defeats Ovince Saint Preux via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Dominick Reyes, blue, defeats Ovince Saint Preux via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Derrick Lewis, red, knocks out. Alexander Volkov with seconds remaining in their fight during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Derrick Lewis, red, knocks out. Alexander Volkov with seconds remaining in their fight during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Michelle Waterson, red, defeats Felice Herrig via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Derrick Lewis, red, knocks out. Alexander Volkov with seconds remaining in their fight during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Derrick Lewis, red, knocks out. Alexander Volkov with seconds remaining in their fight during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Aspen Ladd ,red, defeats Tonya Evinger via first round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Aspen Ladd ,red, defeats Tonya Evinger via first round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Aspen Ladd ,red, defeats Tonya Evinger via first round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Jussier Formiga, blue defeats Sergio Pettis via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Yana Kunitskaya, blue, defeats Lina Lansberg, via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Yana Kunitskaya, blue, defeats Lina Lansberg, via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Vicente Luque, red, defeats. Jalin Turner via first round knockout during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Vicente Luque, red, defeats. Jalin Turner via first round knockout during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Yana Kunitskaya, blue, defeats Lina Lansberg, via judges decision during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Martin defeated Ryan LaFlare, red, via third round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Martin defeated Ryan LaFlare, red, via third round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Tony Martin defeated Ryan LaFlare, red, via third round TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Nik Lentz defeats Gray Maynard, red, via round two TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Nik Lentz defeats Gray Maynard, red, via round two TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Nik Lentz defeats Gray Maynard, red, via round two TKO during UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Friday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Photos by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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LAS VEGAS — Khabib Nurmagomedov was contrite. Kind of. And Dana White was peeved. Supremely.

Following his submission victory over Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event at T-Mobile Arena, the UFC lightweight champion apologized for his actions that caused a massive melee that the UFC president called “disgusting and disappointing.”

“I want to say sorry to commission, Nevada. Vegas. This is not my best side. I’m a human being,” Nurmagomedov said, almost exactly two hours after he capped the biggest fight in UFC history by jumping out of the Octagon to attack one of McGregor’s cornermen, setting off a brawl outside and inside the cage.

Dana White explains what happened after the fight was called and Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the Octagon cage. #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/b5kvGgXsb8

— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2018

Without missing a beat, however, Nurmagomedov began to question why he was being criticized compared with McGregor’s words and actions the past several months.

“Everybody talk about me jump cage. What about he talk about my religion, talk about my country, talk about father, come to Brooklyn and attack bus? What about this? What about this (crap)?” Nurmagomedov said.

White said three people affiliated with Nurmagomedov were arrested, but McGregor refused to press charges. All three were subsequently released.

One video captured a man jumping into the Octagon and cold-cocking McGregor twice from behind.

In only his second UFC loss, McGregor did not appear at the press conference. About four hours after the fight ended, the Irish superstar tweeted: “Good knock. Looking forward to the rematch.”

White said any fines and suspensions will be handled by the Nevada Athletic Commission, but he expects both to be levied against Nurmagomedov.

White added that the commission was withholding Nurmagomedov’s check – he was reportedly being paid $2 million – and the UFC would consider stripping him of the belt should his suspension be long enough to warrant it.

“Eighteen years, biggest night ever, I couldn’t be more disappointed,” said White, who credited the police officers and security personnel for containing the altercations.

The feud between Nurmagomedov and McGregor has been simmering since McGregor, joined by several friends, attacked a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other UFC fighters on April 6 in Brooklyn. McGregor was arrested and charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief. The former two-division paid restitution and agreed to perform community service and attend anger management classes.

A press conference in New York two weeks ago featured McGregor, wild-eyed and borderline belligerent, belittling Nurmagomedov, in addition to his father, his manager and more.

The rivalry had turned from professional to personal.

White said the incident reached a boiling point Saturday night after one of McGregor’s cornermen, Bellator fighter Dillon Danis, began talking trash to Nurmagomedov (27-0).

The undefeated Dagestan 155-pounder had just forced McGregor (21-4) to tap out to a rear-naked choke – even though it looked more like an excruciating neck crank – in the fourth round. What should have been a stellar night for Nurmagomedov, White and the UFC was ruined by the fracas, which had some fans scaling the barrier to enter the chaos.

Waiting in the wings for his shot at the lightweight championship – no matter who has it – is Tony Ferguson. The second-ranked 155-pounder from Costa Mesa, just six months after tearing his lateral collateral ligament from the bone in a freak injury, pieced up former champion Anthony Pettis for two rounds in the co-main event. The former interim lightweight champ was credited with a TKO when Pettis’ corner stopped the fight, citing a broken hand.

The effort secured $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses for both dynamic fighters, who occasionally smiled at each other while unloading several creative strikes and kicks.

Shortly after knocking Ferguson down with a cracking right across the jaw, Pettis suffered a nasty cut high by his hairline. By the end of the round, Ferguson was bouncing on his feet, winging hooks, kicks and uppercuts. Pettis, bloodied even more by another cut over his left eye, went down and Ferguson appeared close to finishing the fight before the horn sounded.

“Khabib and I deserve to fight,” said Ferguson, who has had four fights with Nurmagomedov called off due to injuries or illnesses on each side. “We need to fight for the fifth time – we need to try this out again. He is the champ. I was the interim champ. I’m still the … champ. There’s no BS in this.”

Ferguson said he was willing to fight McGregor even though they’re both represented by Paradigm Sports Management. “El Cucuy” said McGregor was afraid of him and laughed off any suggestion of McGregor getting a rematch against Nurmagomedov.

“The dude got straight-up finished! No, I’m going to stop you right there. The guy got finished,” said Ferguson, who was stripped of his interim lightweight title after his knee injury in late March. “If you get finished, you get to move … on. I’m here. I just finished Anthony Pettis via verbal tap.”

For now, the lightweight title could be held up for a while until the Nevada Athletic Commission decides the fate of Nurmagomedov, whom White suggested could even lose his visa.

“I should be feeling a lot better right now than I do … very good week for everybody,” White said. “Really sucks to end it like this.”

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