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Khabib Speaks Out About Why He Started Mass Brawl At UFC 229

Khabib Speaks Out About Why He Started Mass Brawl At UFC 229

The 30-year-old fighter cleared the railings following the fight and raced towards McGregor's corner

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Khabib Nurmagomedov has spoken to the press to explain his part in the mass brawl that broke out following his championship fight with Conor 'The Notorious' McGregor.

The 30-year-old leaped over the railings of the octagon after the referee called an end to the bout which saw the Irishman tap out on the fourth round.

Footage taken by an audience member shows the Russian turn towards McGregor's corner after the victory and engage in a heated exchange with his coaches, before taking matters into his own hands, climbing over the fence and leaping into the crowd.

Then all hell breaks loose with three of Khabib's entourage entering the cage and landing blows on McGregor.

The Russian fighter has since spoken to the media and apologised to the Nevada Athletic Commission but also took the opportunity to defend his actions and criticise his opponent's behavior in the build up to the fight.

He said: "I want to say sorry to the Athletic Commission, and sorry to Vegas; I know this is not my best side.

"But I don't understand how people can say I jumped on the cage. He [McGregor] talked about my religion, my family; he came to Brooklyn and could have killed people on the bus.

"Why are we talking about me climbing on the cage?"

PA

During the conference Khabib revealed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin phoned him following his victory to congratulate him.

The win means that Khabib retains his lightweight title, however there have been calls for him to be stripped of his belt, because of the ugly scenes at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas.

Featured Image Credit: PA / Instagram

Topics: News, UFC