UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov was hit with a $500,000 fine and nine-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) this week for sparking a mass brawl after his submission win over Irish megastar Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas in October.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Responds to Fine And Suspension https://t.co/PaOM55eqQi
— SportsGossip.com (@sportsgossip) January 29, 2019
Nurmagomedov,who was not at the hearing, was offered the opportunity for the ban being reduced to six months, if he filmed a clip for an anti-bullying campaign with Vegas police.
The undefeated UFC fighter now appears to want no part of that, and reportedly launched a scathing attack on the ‘Sin City’ state.
“[The NSAC] said to take part in a social campaign… the state of Nevada is a place where they allow drugs, prostitution and gambling,” Nurmagomedov told a session held by expedition company Nord Desant in the Siberian city of Nizhnevartovsk, according to SportBox. “Let them work on themselves [and their own behavior]. There were fighters who didn’t fight for two years and didn’t have their belts taken for a year and a half. I’m ready to fight, they were the ones who banned me,” Nurmagomedov added.
Khabib is said to be targeting a November return at Madison Square Garden, and believes that in the meantime, the UFC could install an interim lightweight champion.
“I think that they will create an interim title. It could be between [Dustin] Poirier and [Tony] Ferguson. Whoever wins will become the interim champion, and then at the end of the year we will fight for the real belt,” he said, SportBox reported.
“I think that could happen. [But] at the moment I don’t know for sure.”
Khabib's Manager Says He's 'Done with Vegas' After Ban https://t.co/csL8EOkLWq
— SportsGossip.com (@sportsgossip) January 30, 2019
Fighting in Nevada is a big part of getting a big purse. My guess is he’ll eventually fight there again.
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