UFC 229: World reacts to Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov madness

A shocking post-match brawl marred the UFC's night of nights as victorious champion Khabib Nurmagomedov launched himself at Conor McGregor's camp after choking the Irishman out.

UFC President Dana White said he was "disgusted" at the scenes which will forever haunt the promotion. White said the build-up to UFC 229 was the ugliest he'd seen as the pair traded barbs. The finish was even uglier.

Nurmagomedov proved McGregor's prediction of an easy knockout false as he rushed the former champ and barrelled him to the ground early in the first round. From there it was an uphill battle until Khabib forced a tap out from the humbled star in the fourth round.

[As it happened: Melee at UFC 229 after Khabib chokes out Conor]

A taunt from McGregor's teammate Dillon Danis infuriated Khabib, who jumped the fence and began throwing haymakers.

"He should have just took his win, took his belt, like a man," lightweight rival Tony Ferguson said. "I'm upset, I'm appalled."

Khabib Nurmagomedov after being involved in a brawl with Conor McGregor's teammate. Photo / Getty

Amid the confusion, two members of the Russian's team attacked McGregor. As one confronted him head-on and threw a punch, another leapt into the cage and sucker-punched him from behind. "That was disgusting," commentator Joe Rogan said. "It's so incredibly disappointing."

This is how the fight world reacted.

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

I love Professional Wrestling.

— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) October 7, 2018

What the average fan don’t understand is it’s show business as well as a fight. Think how big a rematch could be.

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) October 7, 2018

Sad. Straight up sad. I’m speechless. The biggest night in UFC history is damaged. I feel bad for Conor, Dana, UFC, and most of all for Khabib. He’s worked his entire life for this moment. One millisecond of emotion ruined it all. #UFC229

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 7, 2018

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 JK (@John_Kavanagh) 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

Pussy Irish guy attacked a bus with innocent women on it, him and his pussy Dillon daniscorner deserve it all... justice baby!!!

— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) October 7, 2018

Unacceptable! You can’t jump the fence and punch the fighter. Awesome fights but on the end 👎🏽

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 7, 2018

UFC president Dana White later revealed three men have been arrested and are being taken to jail. The man who jumped into the cage is reportedly Zubaira Tukhugov, a Russian-born mixed martial artist who currently fights in the UFC featherweight division.

"I don't even know what to say right now, I'm just disgusted and sick over it," White said.

He said McGregor was not hurt. "He's upset about the fight," White said. "Not about the fight after the fight."

"There's a lot of repercussions for what they did tonight," White added.

That was 100% worse than Nashville. Disgusting. Not sure who lit up Conor from up here but that was criminal. Horrible, horrible ending.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 7, 2018

This is what happens when you stoke religious and ethnic tension as part of the promotion for an MMA fight. Unfortunately, this is not likely to end here #UFC229

— Karim Zidan 🕊️ (@ZidanSports) October 7, 2018

I have a feeling we won't be seeing Khabib for a long, long time.

— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) October 7, 2018

I am outraged.

Khabib should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

In fact, I firmly believe that Khabib's actions merit the same punishment - criminal, immigration, UFC, etc. - that McGregor received for his assault.

I know, I know...harsh. But necessary.

— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) October 7, 2018

You have a dominant, ass whooping performance and make the biggest name in your sport submit...them you act like a total asshole and cause chaos and contribute to a near riot. You hurt your career and your sport. #KhabibMcGregor

— Lou DiBella🥊 (@loudibella) October 7, 2018