Morning Report: Khabib Nurmagomedov, on UFC 229 brawl, says ‘You can’t confine an eagle to a cage’

In case you missed it, at UFC 229, after submitting Conor McGregor in the fourth round of their lightweight title fight, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the fence and attacked members of McGregor’s entourage, nearly starting a riot in the process. It was a huge black eye for the UFC, one that could have serious ramifications for Nurmagomedov from both the Nevada Athletic Commission as well as his father. Afterwards, at the post-fight press conference, Nurmagomedov apologized for his actions but, even knowing the seriousness of the situation, it sounds like “The Eagle” isn’t actually all that sorry for what happened.

Speaking to a stadium full of fans in Dagestan’s Anzhi Arena upon his homecoming, Nurmagomedov was far from apologizing for his actions, doubling down on what occurred and continuing his beef with McGregor.

“I prayed to God for one thing, to be left alone in the cage with this clown,” Nurmagomedov said, courtesy of RT. “I asked him this every day. I prayed that we would have no injuries, that we would make weight, and regain our strength, and finally be locked in that cage. Because a lot was said outside that cage, and I said that once that octagon door is shut, I am not responsible for my actions.”

Free from the expectation of contrition, and speaking to a crowd of his countrymen, it became clear that Nurmagomedov was not ready to forgive McGregor for the slights against his people and that he feels that jumping out of the cage to start a brawl was appropriate.

“The first thing I wanted to show him, is the difference between our people, and his people,” said Nurmagomedov. “We know our history, our ancestors, and what our people have been through. Nothing can break us.

“And with what happened afterwards, some people say I did the wrong thing, others that I did the right thing. You can’t confine an eagle to a cage. And I showed them that.”

The fans present loved the response from Nurmagomedovbu the NAC may not feel the same. Nurmagomedov is currently facing a possible lengthy suspension and fine for his actions though, at least Nurmagomedov can now feel confident that the UFC won’t be stripping him of his lightweight title anytime soon.