Brawl after McGregor defeat ‘doesn’t reflect MMA’

Conor McGregor had to be escorted from the octagon by security. Credit: PA

UFC president Dana White has insisted the brawl that followed Conor McGregor’s defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov does not reflect the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole.

McGregor’s return to MMA after a hiatus of nearly two years did not go as planned, as the Dubliner was forced to tap out in the fourth round.

His Russian opponent should have been left celebrating a stunning win.

Khabib Nurmagomedov chokes out Conor McGregor during UFC 229. Credit: INPHO

But instead, Nurmagomedov vaulted the cage and attacked a member of McGregor’s team.

McGregor himself was also attacked by at least two men who entered the cage as bad blood between the two camps came to a head.

Three people were arrested, but later released as McGregor refused to press charges.

The unsavoury scenes leave the UFC on the back foot though, with the brawl overshadowing everything that preceded it.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is restrained by security after jumping into the crowd. Credit: INPHO

White said: “I’ve been doing this for 18 years and I couldn’t be more disappointed.

“I should be in here bragging about the pay-per-view, but I haven’t even looked at that or talked about it with anybody.”

Questions are now being asked about what happens next for McGregor – who has already tweeted that he is “looking forward to the rematch”.

Even after defeat, the Irishman remains a star attraction and has a number of options open to him.

Conor McGregor looked dejected after defeat - before all hell broke loose. Credit: INPHO

Among the most logical moves could be to face American Tony Ferguson.

The pair appear to have a mutual dislike of each other, although not nearly as intense as the enmity between McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

Ferguson, ranked number two in the lightweight standings, has been itching for a fight with McGregor – who would earn the right to another shot at Nurmagomedov if he took on and defeated Ferguson.