Conor McGregor’s UFC return did not go to plan as Khabib Nurmagomedov delivered a career-best display to win by submission – but that soon became an afterthought amid chaotic post-fight scenes in Las Vegas.
An ugly brawl between the camps provoked a strong reaction on social media – much more so than the actual outcome of the fight.
Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson set the tone when claimed the brawl outdid the night he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997.
“Unimaginable never thought it would go down like this,” Tyson wrote. “Crazier than my fight riot.”
Watching the @TheNotoriousMMA vs @TeamKhabib fight. Unimaginable never thought it would go down like this. Crazier than my fight riot. — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) October 7, 2018
Former UFC lightweight champion of the world Rafael dos Anjos was less than impressed by Nurmagomedov and his team, calling their actions “unacceptable”.
“You can’t jump the fence and punch the fighter,” he said.
Unacceptable! You can’t jump the fence and punch the fighter. Awesome fights but on the end 👎🏽 — Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 7, 2018
Many pointed to McGregor’s attack on Nurmagomedov’s on a bus in April – footage of which was used in promoting this fight – as justification for Nurmagomedov’s actions, but a number of MMA fighters disagreed.
Megan Anderson claimed “one evil doesn’t make another ok” and said Nurmagomedov should have risen above what had happened.
“As a champion, you set a higher standard,” she wrote. “You don’t stoop to that level. This is not the actions of a champion.”
One evil doesn't make another ok. Just because a dolly was thrown at a bus and was wrong and he should have been punished doesnt mean that what happened tonight is ok. As a champion, you set a higher standard. You don't stoop to that level. This is not the actions of a champion. — Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) October 7, 2018
Corey Anderson felt the incident would be used to paint McGregor as “the victim” while Daniel Cormier said it showed that “some things aren’t for fight promotion”.
#facts #UFC229 but everybody will say Conors the victim.. https://t.co/vyt518AGA6 — Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) October 7, 2018 Hey guys, two wrongs don’t make it right. Conor didn’t deserve that. No one did. But some things aren’t for fight promotion. Religion, family, country. Throwing stuff in Brooklyn. For Khabib it wasn’t fight promotion, it was really personal. Diff culture man. Sucks — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 7, 2018
British boxer Tony Bellew chimed in too to condemn the post-fight attack on McGregor.
“Connor (sic) lost the fight fair and square yes.. Not a chance in the world he deserves to be attacked by 2 men!” he wrote, adding: “It’s a disgrace! People bringing up the bus incident? No comparison!”
Connor lost the fight fair and square yes.. Not a chance in the world he deserves to be attacked by 2 men! One in front and one from behind! Both bare knuckle after he’s just been fighting for 20 mins anyway! It’s a disgrace! People bringing up the bus incident? No comparison! — Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) October 7, 2018
British MMA fighter John Maguire suggested there might be a more cynical motive behind the drama.
“Don’t worry people it will all be forgotten about in a couple of weeks and then there will be a even bigger build-up for a rematch,” he wrote.
Dont worry people it will all be forgotten about in a couple of weeks and then there will be a even bigger build up for a rematch 😂 #UFC229 — John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) October 7, 2018
Others wondered if McGregor would return to a UFC ring again.
Olympic boxer Tony Jeffries wrote: “Gutted for Connor (sic), the most entertaining man in sport… I hope this isn’t the end.”
Gutted for Connor, the most entertaining man in sport…. I hope this isn’t the end #UFC229 — Tony Jeffries OLY (@Tony_Jeffries) October 7, 2018
But he could take reassurance from the message from McGregor’s own coach, which suggested he plans to be back.
“Another historical night,” John Kavanagh wrote. “Amazing atmosphere, technical fight with excitement all the way thru. All that makes MMA a great sport. Shame about the ending. On to the next one.”
Another historical night. Amazing atmosphere, technical fight with excitement all the way thru. All that makes MMA a great sport. Shame about the ending. On to the next one. — Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 7, 2018
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