The Nevada State Athletic Commission has today announced the suspensions and fines for UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, stemming from the post-fight brawl at UFC 229.
According to ESPN's Ariel Helwani, Nurmagomedov was issued a nine-month ban and a $500,000 fine. However, Khabib's suspension, which is retroactive to October 6, can be reduced to six months if he participates in an anti-bullying PSA.
McGregor received a six month suspension, making him eligible to return on April 6. He also received a fine of $50,000.
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Helwani reports that Khabib's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, was less than pleased about the drastic difference in fines handed out. "I don't think it's fair. Khabib gets $500k and Conor gets $50k? I think it's bullshit."
In addition to paying his own fine, Khabib will reportedly pick up the tab for his two teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov (each of whom were fined $25,000 and suspended one year) and $200,000 for his lawyer.
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With the suspensions and fines out of the way, UFC President Dana White can now begin plotting McGregor and Khabib's next opponents.
It already appears that McGregor is in line to take on Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, as the two have teased a potential fight in recent weeks. That said, there are plenty of fighters who would be interested in a big payday fight against McGregor.
Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, is the undefeated Lightweight champion and if there's anyone in the division deserving of a title shot it's Tony Ferguson. Dana White previously expressed a desire to set up that bout once the suspensions were taken care of, so now we'll have to wait and see how the booking shakes out.
