Khabib's contrition does little to soften UFC's long-term reputational hit after McGregor debacle

It was an impressive win over Conor McGregor, but Khabib Nurmagomedov’s reputation took a dive at UFC 229.

Stats PerformUpdate: Oct 7th, 2018 12:41 EDT

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They say in life it’s the things you don’t do that you regret the most.

Those generally wise words may ring true in most instances, but for Khabib Nurmagomedov there should be regret for something he did do after defeating Conor McGregor to complete the most famous victory of his mightily impressive MMA career. 

It should have been a moment of jubilant celebrations. McGregor, for all his typical pre-fight brashness and gusto, endured more misery in Las Vegas 14 months on from his defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr after dipping his toes into the boxing world.

Make no mistake about it, Khabib dominated McGregor and made the big-talking Irishman eat his words after his vow to knockout a man who had never lost a round, let alone a fight, in UFC.

But the moment Khabib – aptly nicknamed ‘The Eagle’ – decided to launch himself over the cage and soar towards McGregor’s stable-mate Dillon Danis all of that changed. 

It sparked the first of two brawls, the second seeing two individuals enter the octagon with worrying ease to aim punches at a worn-down McGregor. 

And thus the ending to arguably the most hyped fight in UFC history was one that even WWE honcho Vince McMahon may have struggled to dream up such was the circus-like nature of the final act.

Khabib gets another takedown! #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/N6CRrXdzcl

— UFC (@ufc) October 7, 2018

Really the only thing missing from the farcical scenes was the musical sound of shattered glass to signal the arrival of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, steel chair in tow, making the save before sharing a ‘Steveweiser’ with a battered McGregor and hitting the ‘Stone Cold’ stunner on the Irishman for good measure.

Emotions spilled over for Khabib

Speaking afterwards, Khabib – whose share of the purse is being held by the Nevada State Athletic Commission – explained that emotions spilled over due to McGregor’s taunts.

“First of all I want to say sorry to the Athletic Commission and Las Vegas, this is not my best side, I am a human being,” he said.

“He talked about my religion, country, father. Why are people talking about me jumping over a cage? My father taught me to respect people.”

He may have posed the question, but Khabib knows full well why people are talking about him jumping over a cage, such unsavoury scenes inevitably draw intrigued eyes.

The reality, though, is that it didn’t need to be this way.

McGregor’s well-documented attack on a bus carrying Khabib at UFC 223, which landed him community service and mandatory anger management classes, meant the moral high ground was already with the Russian.

Good knock. Looking forward to the rematch.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2018

But an eye for an eye makes the world blind and Khabib’s revenge act draws more eyes to UFC for the wrong reasons.

It was simple. Khabib had earned the dominant win. He should have had his lightweight belt presented to him in the ring and walked away in the knowledge that he silenced McGregor’s trash talk.

So, now what for Khabib? 

A suspension seems probable, being stripped of his lightweight belt not impossible, while he and the UFC have reputations in severe need of repairing.

There is, of course, the legitimate argument that the scenes will benefit UFC. Everyone is talking about what happened in Vegas, many may be inclined to tune in to see what Khabib does next, McGregor’s legion of fans certainly will. A rematch could be in the offing. 

But is this really the way Dana White would want to go about showcasing the product? The images that marred the end of the fight will only serve to fuel the fire of those that treat UFC as boxing’s barbaric cousin and potentially turn any neutrals, watching due to McGregor’s uncanny ability to transcend MMA, away from the sport.

UFC is already beaten with the stick by some that say essentially what is on offer is an unscripted (at least in the ring) version of WWE. The short-term ramifications may be a boost, but long term this is a reputational hit the company will not welcome.