The Nevada State Athletic Commission will be filing complaints against both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor following the events of UFC 229 at the weekend.
Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov vaulted the cage to attack a member of McGregor's team just moments after his title bout against the Irishman had finished. McGregor threw a punch at a member of the Dagestani fighter's team as he sat on top of the cage.
Nurmagomedov later cited the disrespect which McGregor had shown towards his religion, country and family as the reason for his anger.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, UFC president Dana White said his glumness regarding the weekend's event has subsided somewhat - the pay-per-view numbers have begun to roll it. Though not near the three million buys he had spoken about before the fight, he did say the numbers are "way over two million".
The NSAC withheld Nurmagomedov's $2 million purse on Saturday night but allowed McGregor to receive his $3 million payment.
"They took his [Khabib's] whole purse right now and they’re talking about keeping his purse - I do not think that that should happen," said White.
White outlined the punishment he believes fits Nurmagomedov's actions.
You should not be able to keep his whole purse.
I think they should take $250,000 from him. He absolutely keeps his title. And he’s going to get suspended, so maybe you give him a four to six months suspension.
I don't think there's too many people who don't understand why he did it but he shouldn't have done it.
NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell told ESPN that temporary suspensions will be issued shortly for both fighters. The commission is currently conducting an investigation into Saturday night.
"We will be filing against Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov," said Marnell.
Marnell said that the commission will be considering both a fine and suspension for Nurmagomedov.
"It's always both. We could do one or the other, but at least in the chair's mind, I think the commission will be entertaining a recommendation from the attorney general that will include both."
Dana White said that the UFC will not look to circumvent any suspension by holding a Nurmagomedov fight abroad.
The NSAC is also looking at punishing those involved in the events other than Nurmagomedov and McGregor.
"There are a lot of charges that can be brought against a spectator who came over the barricade, through the commission section and into the Octagon to strike a fighter three times. For the record, I have a massive problem with that. That cannot happen.
"We're taking a really hard look at that gentleman. We know exactly who he is and where he is. I have to let the attorney general determine -- is that trespassing, disturbing the peace? That was a serious action and it deserves a serious consequence."
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
