Zubaira Tukhugov, Abubakar Nurmagomedov issued one-year suspensions, fines for roles in UFC 229 brawl

MMAfighting.com

Two of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammates have been punished for their roles in the UFC 229post-fight brawl.

Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov were both issued one-year suspensions and $25,000 fines at a Tuesday meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov both served as cornermen for UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in his UFC 229 title defense against Conor McGregor, which Khabib won via fourth-round submission on Oct. 6, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov — the cousin of Khabib — were caught on video playing a role in the heated post-fight melee that spilled out of the cage following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s victory.

Khabib Nurmagomedov leapt over the cage fence to confront McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danisin the immediate aftermath of his victory over the Irishman, igniting a wild brawl between the two opposing teams. Tukhugov and both Nurmagomedovs were placed on temporary suspension in the days following UFC 229, as were McGregor and Danis.

Tukhugov (18-4) is currently signed to the UFC’s featherweight roster. He has won three of his four Octagon appearances with his only loss coming in a split decision to top contender Renato Moicano. At the UFC 229 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White declared that all parties involved in the melee other than Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor would be released from the company, however the UFC has yet to make an official decision regarding Tukhugov.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov (15-2-1) has been under contract with WSOF/PFL since 2015, a run that has seen him string together a 6-1-1 record. The 29-year-old competed in last year’s inaugural PFL welterweight bracket, where he advanced to the tournament’s semifinals before being forced to withdraw due to a hand injury.

Khabib Nurmagomedov was issued a nine-month suspension and $500,000 fine at Tuesday’s commission meeting, however his suspension is eligible to be reduced to six months with Khabib’s participation in an anti-bullying PSA. McGregor was issued a six-month suspension and $50,000 fine.

Conor McGregor receives six-month suspension, fined $50,000 for role in UFC 229 brawl

The suspensions of Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov are retroactive to Oct. 6, 2018, meaning the two fighters will be eligible to compete again on Oct. 6, 2019.