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UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor
The poster for UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateOctober 6, 2018 (2018-10-06)
VenueT-Mobile Arena
CityParadise, Nevada, United States
Attendance20,034[1]
Total gate$17,188,894.67[2]
Buyrate2,400,000[3]
Event chronology
UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith

UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that was held on October 6, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United States.[4]

This event was the most bought UFC pay-per-view of all time with a buyrate of 2.4 million.[3]

Background

[edit]
Going into the fight Nurmagomedov (left) had an undefeated record of 26–0, while McGregor (right) was the first fighter to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously. The fight was dubbed "the biggest in UFC history" by organization president Dana White.[5]

The event was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between the undefeated former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.[6] McGregor captured the lightweight title at UFC 205, when he was the reigning featherweight champion.[7] McGregor never defended the title, he took some time off in 2017 due to the birth of his firstborn and later venturing himself in a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.[8][9] The UFC originally planned an interim title bout between Nurmagomedov and The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos welterweight winner Tony Ferguson at UFC 209, but it was canceled due to Khabib having medical issues related to his weight cut on weigh-in day.[10] Ferguson eventually won the interim title at UFC 216 against Kevin Lee.[11] Ferguson was then expected to meet Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, with the winner being crowned the undisputed champion (as McGregor would be stripped of the title as soon as the bout took place). In turn, it was scrapped once again (fourth time) as Ferguson got injured, and after several possibilities for an opponent, Nurmagomedov eventually won the vacant title against Al Iaquinta.[12][13] The event was preceded by a widely publicized incident in which McGregor threw a dolly at a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other fighters, injuring two. He was arrested and charged, but the UFC did not formally discipline him. Footage of the incident was later used in official promotion, sparking controversy, though UFC President Dana White defended its inclusion.[14][15]

Jussier Formiga was previously scheduled to face Sergio Pettis in January 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn. However, Formiga pulled out of the fight for undisclosed reasons.[16] The pairing was rescheduled for this event.[17]

On October 1, Sean O'Malley announced that he was pulled from a bout against José Alberto Quiñónez after failing a US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug test.[18] In turn, promotion officials elected to remove Quiñónez from the card and reschedule him for a future event.[19]

Results

[edit]
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) def. Conor McGregor Submission (neck crank) 4 3:03 [a]
Lightweight Tony Ferguson def. Anthony Pettis TKO (corner stoppage) 2 5:00
Light Heavyweight Dominick Reyes def. Ovince Saint Preux Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Derrick Lewis def. Alexander Volkov KO (punches) 3 4:49 [b]
Women's Strawweight Michelle Waterson def. Felice Herrig Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
Flyweight Jussier Formiga def. Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Welterweight Vicente Luque def. Jalin Turner KO (punches) 1 3:52
Women's Bantamweight Aspen Ladd def. Tonya Evinger TKO (punches) 1 3:26
Lightweight Scott Holtzman def. Alan Patrick KO (elbows) 3 3:42
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Women's Bantamweight Yana Kunitskaya def. Lina Länsberg Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Lightweight Nik Lentz def. Gray Maynard TKO (head kick and punches) 2 1:19
Welterweight Anthony Rocco Martin def. Ryan LaFlare TKO (head kick and punches) 3 1:00
  1. ^ For the UFC Lightweight Championship.
  2. ^ UFC heavyweight title eliminator

[20]

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses:[21]

  • Fight of the Night: Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis
  • Performance of the Night: Derrick Lewis and Aspen Ladd

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. The total disclosed payout for the event was $6,636,000.[22]

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov: $2,000,000 (no win bonus) def. Conor McGregor: $3,000,000
  • Tony Ferguson: $250,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Anthony Pettis: $100,000
  • Dominick Reyes: $100,000(includes $45,000 win bonus) def. Ovince Saint Preux: $86,000
  • Derrick Lewis: $270,000 (includes $135,000 win bonus) def. Alexander Volkov: $75,000
  • Michelle Waterson: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Felice Herrig: $40,000
  • Jussier Formiga: $86,000 (includes $43,000 win bonus) def. Sergio Pettis: $46,000
  • Vicente Luque: $76,000 (includes $38,000 win bonus) def. Jalin Turner: $10,000
  • Aspen Ladd: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) def. Tonya Evinger: $30,000
  • Scott Holtzman: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Alan Patrick: $30,000
  • Yana Kunitskaya: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Lina Länsberg: $20,000
  • Nik Lentz: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Grey Maynard: $54,000
  • Tony Martin: $56,000 (includes $28,000 win bonus) def. Ryan LaFlare: $33,000

Records set

[edit]

At the T-Mobile Arena, the event drew an attendance of 20,034 fans, generating a live gate revenue of $17.2 million. It set the record for the highest ever mixed martial arts attendance and live gate in Nevada.[1] It also set the record for the biggest MMA pay-per-view event, with 2.4 million buys in the United States.[3]

Viewership

[edit]

In Nurmagomedov's home country of Russia, the fight set the viewership record for the country's most-watched MMA event. On Russian channel Match TV, where the event began airing at 05:00 MSK and the Nurmagomedov-McGregor fight after 07:00 MSK, the fight was watched by more than 4 million viewers and reached a peak viewership rating of 67.5% for the time slot in the capital Moscow.[23] In the United Kingdom, the fight was watched by 1,282,500 viewers on pay television subscription channel BT Sport 1, including 260,700 viewers for the live 01:00 broadcast and 1,021,800 viewers for the 06:00 replay.[24]

Nurmagomedov–McGregor post-fight controversy

[edit]

Seconds after the fight, Nurmagomedov hurled his mouthpiece towards McGregor’s corner, then proceeded to climb out of the octagon and charged toward McGregor's cornerman Dillon Danis. Soon after, McGregor and Abubakar Nurmagomedov (cousin of Khabib) also tried to climb out of the octagon, but a scuffle broke out between them.[25] Back in the octagon, McGregor was then attacked by two of Nurmagomedov's cornermen: Zubaira Tukhugov and Esed Emiragaev.[26]

As a result of the incident, Nurmagomedov's payment for the fight was withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) pending an investigation into his actions.[22] Tukhugov was scheduled to fight on October 27 at UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith against Artem Lobov, McGregor's teammate who was confronted by Nurmagomedov in April 2018.[27]

Nurmagomedov appeared at the post-fight interview and apologized to the NSAC, saying he was provoked by the McGregor team's trash-talk targeting his family, nation, and religion, as well as the UFC 223 bus incident.[28]

The NSAC filed a formal complaint against both McGregor and Nurmagomedov and the final hearing was initially scheduled to take place in November.[29] On October 12, they announced both fighters received a suspension for ten days come October 15 and a hearing would be held on October 24.[30] On October 24, the NSAC unanimously voted to release half of Nurmagomedov's payout immediately.[31] The commission also voted to issue temporary suspensions for both fighters and ordered them to appear in person for a further hearing in December to resolve the case.[32]

On January 29, 2019, the NSAC announced a nine-month suspension for Nurmagomedov and a $500,000 fine. The agreement also includes a potential suspension reduction of up to three months if he delivers to the commission a public service announcement on anti-bullying. To receive the reduction, the commission must approve the PSA and its distribution plan. Additionally, Nurmagomedov can only receive credit based on the time he submits the PSA. McGregor was suspended for six months and given a $50,000 fine. In separate agreements, Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Tukhugov were each suspended one year for their roles in the melee. All suspensions are retroactive to the day of the event.[33] A few days later, Nurmagomedov stated that he would not opt to do the PSA stating "The state of Nevada is where drugs, prostitution and gambling are officially permitted. Let them work on themselves."[34] Danis was suspended for seven months and fined $7,500, also retroactive to the day of the event.[35] On May 22, 2019, NSAC reduced the suspensions by 35 days, which allowed Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Tukhugov to be eligible to compete again on September 1, 2019.[36]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

UFC 229

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from Grokipedia
UFC 229 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 6, 2018, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.[1][2] The card was headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former two-division champion Conor McGregor, with Nurmagomedov securing victory via rear-naked choke submission at 3:03 of the fourth round.[1][3] The event drew a paid attendance of 20,034 and generated a live gate of $17,188,895, while achieving approximately 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, marking it as one of the most commercially successful UFC events.[2][4] It became defined by a post-fight brawl initiated when Nurmagomedov exited the Octagon to assault McGregor's cornermen, prompting McGregor's team to enter the cage and attack Nurmagomedov's associate, resulting in Nevada State Athletic Commission suspensions including nine months and a $500,000 fine for Nurmagomedov and six months plus a $50,000 fine for McGregor.[5][6]

Event Details

Date, Venue, and Promotion

UFC 229 was held on October 6, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[2][1] The arena, which opened in 2016 and has a seating capacity of approximately 20,000 for combat sports events, hosted the pay-per-view numbered event as part of the UFC's annual schedule of major cards.[7] The event was promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier mixed martial arts organization founded in 1993 and owned by Endeavor Group Holdings since 2016.[2] UFC's promotion included extensive marketing around the lightweight title bout, leveraging the high-profile rivalry to drive record attendance and viewership, though specific promotional strategies emphasized fighter narratives over broader institutional branding.[8]

Broadcast and Production Details

UFC 229's main card was distributed via pay-per-view (PPV) providers in the United States, priced at $64.99 for high definition and $54.99 for standard definition, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET on October 6, 2018.[9] Preliminary bouts aired on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, while early prelims streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from 6:30 p.m. ET.[10] Internationally, the event accommodated time zone differences, with UK viewers accessing the main card around 3:00 a.m. BST on October 7.[11] The event achieved record-breaking viewership, generating an estimated 2.4 million PPV buys, surpassing prior UFC benchmarks and including approximately 1.9 million traditional cable purchases and 470,000 streaming transactions.[12] This figure marked the highest for any UFC event, driven by the high-profile lightweight title bout.[13] Production was handled in-house by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with specialized lighting provided by Frank Gatto and Associates for the T-Mobile Arena setup.[14] The broadcast captured the post-main event chaos live, including the arena brawl, which extended airtime and amplified global attention without prior scripting.[15]

Background and Build-Up

Origins of the Main Event Rivalry

The rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor originated in late 2014, shortly after Nurmagomedov's dominant unanimous decision victory over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 11 on April 19, 2014, which improved his UFC record to 6-0 and established him as a top contender.[16] Nurmagomedov challenged McGregor via social media and interviews for a potential lightweight clash, arguing McGregor should move up and face elite grapplers like himself. On December 12, 2015, at UFC 194, McGregor knocked out featherweight champion Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to claim that division's title, further fueling the tension. McGregor, however, prioritized rematches with Nate Diaz and a title shot against Eddie Alvarez, dismissing Nurmagomedov's callout indirectly by focusing on his own path to dual-division stardom, while Nurmagomedov's subsequent knee injury sidelined him for nearly a year, fueling perceptions of inactivity on his part.[17][18] Tensions simmered through 2016 and 2017 with sporadic verbal barbs, including Nurmagomedov's criticism of McGregor's featherweight title defenses—or lack thereof—after McGregor captured the lightweight belt against Alvarez on November 12, 2016. A heated backstage shouting match erupted between the two at the UFC 205 weigh-ins on November 11, 2016, in Madison Square Garden, where Nurmagomedov invaded McGregor's space, leading to physical separation by security amid accusations of avoidance. Further escalation occurred at the UFC 219 press conference on December 30, 2017, when Nurmagomedov leaped into the crowd to confront McGregor during his interview, exchanging words about grappling deficiencies and fight legitimacy before being restrained; McGregor later mocked Nurmagomedov's wrestling-heavy style and injury history in interviews. These incidents highlighted stylistic clashes—Nurmagomedov's undefeated grappling dominance (24-0 overall at the time) versus McGregor's striking precision and promotional bravado—but remained contained to words until 2018.[17][19] The feud reached a violent peak on April 5, 2018, during UFC 223 media day at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, when McGregor, accompanied by approximately 20 associates, stormed the venue and attacked a charter bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other fighters with a metal dolly, shattering windows and causing cuts from flying glass that forced medical withdrawals for fighters like Ray Borg and Michael Chiesa. Nurmagomedov attempted to exit the bus to reach McGregor, yelling threats, but was held back; the incident, stemming from an earlier altercation between Nurmagomedov's camp and McGregor's training partner Artem Lobov, resulted in McGregor's arrest on charges including assault and criminal mischief, though most were later dropped or resolved. This physical confrontation transformed the rivalry from promotional hype into personal animosity, with Nurmagomedov vowing revenge; it directly paved the way for their matchup after Nurmagomedov won the vacant lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 on April 7, 2018, leading UFC officials to book the bout for UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.[18][17]

Pre-Fight Provocations and Media Hype

The buildup to UFC 229 featured intense verbal exchanges during promotional press conferences, amplifying the personal animosity between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. On September 20, 2018, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the event proceeded without public attendance due to security concerns stemming from prior incidents in the rivalry, creating an unusually subdued atmosphere. McGregor arrived approximately 40 minutes late, dressed in a purple suit and carrying a bottle of his branded whiskey, immediately questioning the absence of fans and launching into provocations against Nurmagomedov, labeling him a "fake champion" and "glass-jawed bum" who had "fought absolutely nobody." He further referenced Nurmagomedov's associates, including Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to undermine his opponent's legitimacy. Nurmagomedov, appearing first and maintaining composure, responded minimally but expressed frustration, later yelling back as McGregor's interruptions drowned him out.[20] A second press conference on October 4, 2018, in Las Vegas escalated the rhetoric further, with McGregor arriving late again and Nurmagomedov departing early to avoid direct confrontation. McGregor derided Nurmagomedov as "that mad backwards ct" who was "petrified," vowing to "knock that man’s nose straight into the nosebleeds" and rejecting any reconciliation by stating, "Fk peace. There will never be peace here." He also targeted Nurmagomedov's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, calling him a "f**king snitch terrorist rat." Nurmagomedov dismissed McGregor's barbs as the ravings of an "alcoholic" and emphasized the fight's personal stakes, declaring it "personal" while refusing a handshake and predicting McGregor would "give up" under pressure as he had in past encounters. These exchanges highlighted McGregor's strategy of psychological provocation through personal and national insults, contrasted with Nurmagomedov's restraint, though he admitted to underlying anger from earlier events like McGregor's April 2018 bus attack.[21] The provocations generated unprecedented media attention, positioning UFC 229 as one of the most anticipated events in mixed martial arts history. UFC President Dana White projected pay-per-view buys could reach 3 million, nearly doubling the prior record set by McGregor's 2016 bout against Eddie Alvarez, driven by the fighters' contrasting styles, undefeated records for Nurmagomedov, and the raw authenticity of their feud. Coverage across outlets emphasized McGregor's mastery of trash talk as a promotional tool, with the UFC's hype efforts focusing on the potential for violence beyond the cage, though Nurmagomedov's stoicism limited reciprocal escalation. This dynamic not only sold tickets but underscored the event's commercial stakes, with early indicators pointing to record gate receipts at T-Mobile Arena.[22][23]

Fight Card and Outcomes

Main Event: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor

The main event of UFC 229 pitted UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, entering with an undefeated professional record of 26-0, against former UFC Lightweight and Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor, who held a record of 21-3.[24] Nurmagomedov, known for his dominant wrestling and sambo background, aimed to defend his title won earlier in 2018 against Al Iaquinta, while McGregor sought to reclaim the lightweight belt following a year-long hiatus after his loss to Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match.[1] The fight unfolded over four rounds, with Nurmagomedov securing victory via rear-naked choke submission at 3:03 of the fourth round.[3] In the opening round, McGregor connected with a significant left hook that briefly rocked Nurmagomedov against the cage, marking one of the challenger's most impactful strikes early on.[25] However, Nurmagomedov quickly recovered, clinched, and executed a takedown with under a minute remaining, transitioning to ground control and landing short strikes from top position to close the round.[26] Official statistics show Nurmagomedov landing 7 of 9 significant strikes (78%) in the first round, compared to McGregor's 6 of 7 (86%), but Nurmagomedov's grappling established early dominance.[26] Round two saw Nurmagomedov assert overwhelming control, attempting multiple takedowns and landing 41 of 60 significant strikes (68%), primarily from ground and pound positions after securing top control for much of the five minutes.[27] McGregor managed only 5 of 13 significant strikes (38%), struggling to defend against Nurmagomedov's persistent wrestling pressure, which included several passes to mount and back positions.[26] This round highlighted Nurmagomedov's superior grappling, as he neutralized McGregor's striking threat by keeping the fight on the mat. McGregor showed resilience in round three, landing cleaner strikes from distance and briefly threatening with a guillotine attempt during a scramble, which led one judge to score the round 10-9 in his favor.[28] Despite this, Nurmagomedov regained control late with another takedown, maintaining overall fight control and leading to a 29-27 scoreline across the judges entering the championship rounds.[25] McGregor's output increased slightly, but Nurmagomedov's pressure prevented sustained stand-up exchanges. In the fourth round, Nurmagomedov capitalized on fatigue, securing a takedown early and transitioning to McGregor's back, where he locked in the rear-naked choke, forcing the tapout despite McGregor's defensive efforts.[1] Overall fight statistics reflect Nurmagomedov's grappling edge: 12 successful takedowns out of 14 attempts and 70 of 119 significant strikes landed (58%), against McGregor's 51 of 81 (63%).[26] [29] This victory extended Nurmagomedov's unbeaten streak to 27-0, solidifying his reputation as an elite grappler in the division.[3]

Co-Main Event and Undercard Results

The co-main event featured a lightweight bout between Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis. Ferguson defeated Pettis via technical knockout (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of the second round after repeatedly targeting Pettis's lower left leg with kicks, causing significant swelling and rendering Pettis unable to continue.[1][8] The remaining main card and undercard results are as follows:
Weight ClassWinnervs. LoserMethodRoundTime
WelterweightColby CovingtonRafael dos AnjosTKO (punches)32:29
HeavyweightDerrick LewisAlexander VolkovKO (punch)34:49
FlyweightJussier FormigaSergio PettisUnanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)35:00
WelterweightVicente LuqueJalin TurnerSubmission (D'Arce choke)24:45
StrawweightMichelle WatersonFelice HerrigUnanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)35:00
MiddleweightDominick ReyesChris CamozziTKO (elbows)12:00
BantamweightAspen LaddAna MarkosTKO (punches)10:15
Women's BantamweightYana KunitskayaLina LansbergUnanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)35:00
HeavyweightShamil AbdurakhimovChase ShermanTKO (punches)30:36
FlyweightDeiveson FigueiredoJohn MoragaUnanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)35:00
Derrick Lewis's victory over Alexander Volkov is recognized as the largest comeback finish in UFC history, with the knockout occurring just 11 seconds before the end of the third round after Lewis had been dominated for most of the fight.[30]

Overall Event Performance Metrics

The UFC 229 event comprised 12 bouts across various weight classes.[31] [2] Seven fights concluded via unanimous decision, while five ended in stoppages: one knockout (Vicente Luque via punches in Round 1), two technical knockouts from accumulated strikes (Aspen Ladd in Round 1), one technical knockout due to a doctor's stoppage for a laceration (Tony Ferguson in Round 2), and two submissions (Sean Brady via arm-triangle choke in Round 2 and Khabib Nurmagomedov via rear-naked choke in Round 4).[3] [1] This yielded a 42% finish rate, below the UFC's historical average but driven by early terminations in lighter divisions.[31] The cumulative in-cage time for all fights totaled 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 10 seconds, equating to an average bout duration of roughly 11 minutes and 46 seconds—shorter than typical UFC pay-per-view cards, attributable to quick finishes in four of the five stoppages occurring within the first two rounds.[32] No bouts reached the third round or beyond except the main event, which lasted 23:03 before submission.[26] Performance awards included Fight of the Night for Ferguson vs. Pettis and Performance of the Night bonuses for Nurmagomedov and Ladd, highlighting the event's standout individual efforts amid varied card pacing.[3]

Financial Aspects

Fighter Bonuses and Reported Payouts

UFC officials awarded Fight of the Night honors to Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis for their lightweight bout, which ended in a second-round TKO victory for Ferguson after a competitive exchange marred by an accidental eye poke.[33] Performance of the Night bonuses went to Derrick Lewis for his third-round knockout of Alexander Volkov in the heavyweight co-main event and to Aspen Ladd for her first-round stoppage of Marketa Santamaria in the women's bantamweight division.[34] Each recipient earned an additional $50,000, consistent with standard UFC bonus amounts at the time, while Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor received no such awards despite the main event's intensity and aftermath.[35] Nevada State Athletic Commission records disclosed base purses for UFC 229 fighters totaling $6,636,000, excluding win bonuses, pay-per-view revenue shares, or sponsorship income.[36] Nurmagomedov received a flat $2,000,000 purse with no win bonus listed, while McGregor earned a record-tying $3,000,000 flat purse for the losing effort, marking the highest disclosed payout in UFC history at that point.[37] Other notable disclosed purses included $500,000 for Volkov (with a $50,000 win bonus withheld due to loss), $155,000 for Ferguson (including $5,000 win bonus), and $100,000 for Pettis (including $20,000 win bonus).[38]
FighterBase PurseWin Bonus (if applicable)Total Disclosed
Conor McGregor$3,000,000None$3,000,000
Khabib Nurmagomedov$2,000,000None$2,000,000
Alexander Volkov$500,000None (loss)$500,000
Tony Ferguson$150,000$5,000$155,000
Anthony Pettis$80,000$20,000$100,000
These figures represent guaranteed minimums reported to the commission prior to the event and do not account for subsequent fines imposed on Nurmagomedov ($500,000) and McGregor ($50,000) for their roles in the post-fight melee, which were deducted from their purses following disciplinary hearings.[39]

Pay-Per-View and Gate Records

UFC 229 achieved approximately 2.4 million pay-per-view buys, surpassing the previous UFC record set by UFC 202 (1.6 million buys) and establishing the highest buyrate in UFC history at the time.[40][12] This figure included roughly 1.9 million traditional PPV purchases and 470,000 to 480,000 via streaming platforms, reflecting strong demand driven by the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor main event rivalry.[12][41] The event's live gate revenue reached $17,188,895, with an attendance of 20,034 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking the largest gate for a UFC event in Nevada history and the second-highest overall behind UFC 205 ($17.7 million).[42][2] Pre-event projections anticipated up to $17 million, exceeding prior Las Vegas benchmarks like UFC 200 ($10.7 million).[43][44] These financial metrics contributed to an estimated $86.4 million in total economic output for the Las Vegas area, including ancillary spending by visitors, though UFC does not publicly disclose exact PPV revenue shares or full event profitability.[45] Subsequent events like UFC 299 have since eclipsed the gate record, but UFC 229's PPV buyrate remained unmatched until later McGregor-headlined cards.[42]

Post-Fight Disturbance

Immediate Sequence of the Melee

Following Khabib Nurmagomedov's fourth-round submission victory over Conor McGregor via neck crank at 3:03 on October 6, 2018, referee Herb Dean intervened to halt the bout as McGregor tapped repeatedly and verbally conceded.[46] Immediately after, Nurmagomedov exited the Octagon by climbing over the cage wall and leaping into the arena floor toward McGregor's corner, targeting specifically teammate and Bellator fighter Dillon Danis with punches amid shouts directed at pre-fight trash talk.[46] [47] This action ignited an initial skirmish outside the cage involving members of both camps, with Danis defending himself as Nurmagomedov attempted to strike him further before security personnel began separating the parties.[48] [49] Concurrently, as McGregor rose to his feet inside the Octagon, Nurmagomedov's cornerman Zubaira Tukhugov and at least one other associate vaulted the fence to enter the cage, assaulting McGregor with strikes while he attempted to engage them defensively.[50] McGregor sought to pursue Nurmagomedov by climbing toward the cage wall but was restrained by officials and security amid the escalating chaos, which briefly spilled into the Octagon before UFC president Dana White and arena staff, including Las Vegas police, mobilized to quell the disturbance.[46] [50] The melee lasted under two minutes, with no reported serious injuries, though it delayed the post-fight proceedings and prompted immediate concerns over athlete safety protocols.[48]

Involved Parties and Initial Reactions

Following Khabib Nurmagomedov's fourth-round submission victory over Conor McGregor via neck crank on October 6, 2018, Nurmagomedov immediately exited the Octagon by climbing over its fence and physically assaulted Dillon Danis, McGregor's primary cornerman and a Bellator MMA welterweight who had verbally provoked Nurmagomedov's team from cageside during the bout.[51] In response, three members of Nurmagomedov's training camp—Zubaira Tukhugov, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, and Esedulla Emiragaev—scaled the Octagon wall and entered the cage to confront McGregor, with Tukhugov exchanging brief strikes with him while Abubakar Nurmagomedov attempted to attack from behind.[52] McGregor defended himself against the incursion, landing punches on Tukhugov, before exiting the cage and hurling a metal chair toward Nurmagomedov's entourage in the arena's front row, which struck an unidentified associate.[46] Security personnel and UFC officials, including referee Herb Dean, intervened to separate the combatants, temporarily halting arena activities as additional scuffles erupted among spectators.[53] Nurmagomedov later acknowledged his actions in the immediate post-fight press conference, stating he had not shown his "best side" by jumping the cage but justified the escalation by citing prior provocations, including McGregor's pre-fight bus attack on his team and Danis's ongoing taunts referencing Nurmagomedov's family and religion.[54] McGregor, visibly agitated, described the incident as an ambush by Nurmagomedov's associates who "jumped the cage" behind him, framing it as an unfair extension of the rivalry beyond the sanctioned fight.[55] UFC President Dana White condemned the melee as unacceptable, noting three of Nurmagomedov's associates were arrested inside T-Mobile Arena for their roles, though he emphasized the event's massive commercial success despite the chaos.[53] Tukhugov admitted via social media to entering the Octagon, expressing regret but attributing his involvement to defending his teammate amid the unfolding disorder.[56] Initial media commentary highlighted the fighters' instinctive loyalties, with UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, present cageside, explaining that combatants' immediate impulse is to aid allies regardless of rules, though he criticized the breach of professional boundaries.[57] Analysts like Chael Sonnen noted the brawl amplified the event's notoriety, potentially boosting UFC's visibility, while ESPN's Stephen A. Smith decried it as a stain on the sport's legitimacy.[58] Danis, sustaining minor injuries, later recounted the scene as "mayhem" triggered by Nurmagomedov's unprovoked exit from the cage.[59] The incident's rapid escalation underscored longstanding tensions from McGregor's trash-talking campaign, which had included personal attacks on Nurmagomedov's heritage, though no immediate consensus emerged on assigning primary fault amid mutual recriminations.[46]

Disciplinary and Legal Repercussions

Nevada State Athletic Commission Actions

Following the post-fight melee at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) initially issued temporary 10-day suspensions to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor on October 8, 2018, pending further investigation.[53] The NSAC also filed formal complaints against both fighters for their roles in the incident, citing violations of commission rules on unsportsmanlike conduct and failure to maintain decorum.[60] At an NSAC hearing on January 29, 2019, Nurmagomedov and McGregor agreed to settlement stipulations without appearing in person. Nurmagomedov received a nine-month suspension, retroactive to October 6, 2018, making him eligible to fight again after July 6, 2019, and a $500,000 fine deducted from his disclosed $2 million fight purse.[5] McGregor was given a six-month suspension, expiring April 6, 2019, and fined $50,000.[61] The NSAC also sanctioned members of Nurmagomedov's team involved in the cage invasion and subsequent altercations. Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov each received one-year suspensions and $25,000 fines for their participation in the melee.[6] These penalties reflected the commission's assessment of their direct involvement in attacking McGregor and his entourage, with suspensions extended from initial temporary measures issued in November 2018.[62]
FighterSuspension LengthFine AmountEffective Dates/Notes
Khabib Nurmagomedov9 months$500,000Retroactive to Oct. 6, 2018; from fight purse[5]
Conor McGregor6 months$50,000Expires Apr. 6, 2019[61]
Zubaira Tukhugov1 year$25,000From Jan. 29, 2019 hearing[6]
Abubakar Nurmagomedov1 year$25,000From Jan. 29, 2019 hearing[6]
In May 2019, Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov had their suspensions reduced by 35 days after completing community service requirements, allowing potential earlier returns subject to further approval.[63] The NSAC's actions emphasized accountability for breaching event security and safety protocols, with fines directed toward enforcement costs rather than broader punitive measures.[64]

UFC Internal Sanctions and Resolutions

Following the post-fight melee at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, UFC officials, led by president Dana White, determined that Khabib Nurmagomedov would retain his UFC Lightweight Championship title despite his role in initiating the brawl by exiting the cage.[65] White explicitly stated on October 9, 2018, that stripping the title was not under consideration, emphasizing Nurmagomedov's status as champion while noting the incident's severity.[65] This decision allowed Nurmagomedov to defend the belt at UFC 242 on September 7, 2019, after serving his Nevada State Athletic Commission suspension. The UFC considered terminating the contract of Nurmagomedov's teammate Zubaira Tukhugov, a featherweight on the roster who entered the octagon and struck Conor McGregor during the disturbance.[66] Tukhugov was subsequently pulled from a scheduled UFC Fight Night bout against Artem Lobov on October 27, 2018, and did not compete in the promotion thereafter.[67] However, following Nurmagomedov's public threat on October 11, 2018, to exit the UFC if Tukhugov were released, the promotion refrained from formal termination at that time.[66] No additional internal suspensions, fines, or contract actions were imposed by the UFC on Nurmagomedov, McGregor, or other involved parties beyond coordination with commission-mandated purse withholdings and suspensions.[68] White indicated post-event that the organization would address matters internally after regulatory and legal processes concluded, prioritizing operational continuity.[15] McGregor's full disclosed purse of $3 million was disbursed without delay, in contrast to the partial withholding of Nurmagomedov's $2 million purse pending resolution.[69]

Legacy and Long-Term Effects

Impact on Fighters' Careers and Records

Khabib Nurmagomedov's victory over Conor McGregor via fourth-round submission on October 6, 2018, elevated his professional record to 27-0, reinforcing his status as the UFC lightweight champion and extending his undefeated streak. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) subsequently imposed a nine-month suspension on Nurmagomedov, effective from the event date, along with a $500,000 fine—half of which was donated to an anti-bullying charity—delaying his return until July 2019.[5] This interruption postponed his title defense against Dustin Poirier until September 7, 2019, at UFC 242, where he secured a third-round submission win to move to 28-0; he fought once more in October 2020 before retiring undefeated at 29-0.[70] The brawl's fallout, including criticism from UFC President Dana White for Nurmagomedov's role in escalating post-fight chaos, did not prevent him from cementing a legacy of grappling dominance, though it highlighted tensions between his camp and UFC management.[71] McGregor's defeat marked his fourth professional loss, adjusting his record to 21-4 and snapping a brief resurgence after his 2016 dual-division title wins. The NSAC levied a six-month suspension and $50,000 fine on McGregor for throwing a chair during the melee, rendering him eligible for competition from April 6, 2019, onward.[5] He returned on January 18, 2020, defeating Donald Cerrone via first-round knockout at UFC 246, but subsequent bouts yielded mixed results, including losses to Poirier in 2021 and a leg injury against him in 2021, contributing to a perception of career stagnation amid legal and personal issues.[72] Despite the setback, McGregor's draw as a pay-per-view attraction persisted, with UFC 229 itself generating over 2.4 million buys, underscoring his enduring commercial value even post-loss.[12] Secondary participants faced steeper repercussions: Zubaira Tukhugov, a Nurmagomedov cornerman who entered the cage during the brawl, received a 12-month NSAC suspension and $25,000 fine, leading to his removal from a scheduled October 27, 2018, bout against Artem Lobov and eventual UFC release following a 2023 loss, with Dana White publicly stating Tukhugov would "never fight here."[67][6] Abubakar Nurmagomedov, another involved cornerman, also drew a one-year ban, stalling early UFC momentum.[6] Dillon Danis, from McGregor's side, incurred a seven-month suspension and $50,000 fine, though as a non-UFC-contracted fighter at the time, it minimally disrupted his Bellator trajectory.[73] Overall, while the event's records reflected the main-event outcome without alteration from the disturbance, the disciplinary measures disrupted timelines and, for peripheral fighters, accelerated career uncertainties in the UFC.

Influence on UFC Policies and Public Perception

The post-fight brawl at UFC 229 led to heightened enforcement of the UFC's preexisting Fighter Conduct Policy, which permits the promotion to impose fines, suspensions, or other penalties for athlete behavior that endangers safety or harms the UFC's reputation, as applied to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor for their roles in the melee.[74] UFC President Dana White publicly condemned the incident as "disgusting" and confirmed that internal sanctions, including reported multimillion-dollar fines beyond regulatory penalties, would be levied on involved parties to deter similar violations.[75] [76] Although no wholesale revisions to UFC policies were formally enacted, the event underscored vulnerabilities in post-fight security, with the bout requiring the largest security contingent in UFC history—over 100 personnel—to manage escalating tensions, a measure White later highlighted as essential to averting greater chaos and informing protocols for subsequent high-stakes rivalries.[77] This incident reinforced the need for stricter separation of opposing camps immediately after bouts, contributing to ongoing refinements in venue logistics and corner access restrictions observed in later events. Public perception of UFC 229's disturbance was polarized, with core MMA enthusiasts viewing the unscripted drama as emblematic of the sport's authentic intensity and a draw for its targeted audience, rather than a reputational setback.[78] Critics, however, contended that the melee exemplified MMA's persistent barriers to broader mainstream appeal, portraying the discipline as prone to barbarism beyond controlled competition and amplifying stereotypes of unchecked aggression.[79] The event's massive visibility—driving record pay-per-view buys and millions in added social media followers for participants—ultimately bolstered the UFC's image among paying fans as a provider of high-drama spectacles, even as it invited scrutiny over athlete conduct and organizational oversight.

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