Conor McGregor reacts to NSAC fine, suspension

On Tuesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) met to decide the fates of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor.

McGregor and Nurmagomedov were being disciplined for the brawl that broke out after their UFC 229 fight, which also involved McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis, and Nurmagomedov’s teammates Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov.

Khabib Nurmagomedov received his punishment first at this NSAC Tuesday hearing. The champion was hit with a wallet-draining $500,000 fine, and a nine-month suspension. His suspension, however, can be reduced to six months if he completes an anti-bullying campaign, which must be approved by the NSAC.

Conor McGregor received his sentencing next. He was given a much smaller $50,000 fine and a six-month suspension.

Early on Wednesday morning, McGregor issued a quick statement on his punishment. He seems to feel he’s been treated fairly.

“I am thankful for the Nevada athletic commissions fair assessment and handling of the brawl incident,” Conor McGregor wrote on Twitter. “It was not my intention to land the final blow of the night on my opponent’s blood relative. It’s just how it played out. I look forward to competing again soon. Thank you all.”

While McGregor seems to agree with the fine and suspension he received, Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t seem quite as content. Shortly after the NSAC decided his fate, the Russian champion attributed his weighty punishment to “politics.”

Because his suspension is retroactive, Conor McGregor will be able to fight again in April. While nothing is official just yet, he’s recently been linked to a fan friendly showdown with popular MMA veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 1/29/2019.