UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was hit with a nine-month suspension and a $500,000 fine on Tuesday for his role in the UFC 229 postfight melee, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Conor McGregor was also disciplined for his actions, as he faces a six-month ban and a $50,000 fine.
The suspensions, issued by the Nevada Athletic Commission, are retroactive to Oct. 6, and Nurmagomedov's can be reduced to six months if he participates in an anti-bullying PSA. The 155-pound champion would be eligible to return to the UFC as early as April if he chooses that option.
The fine will come out of Nurmagomedov's disclosed purse, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani. He earned $2 million for UFC 229, half of which was withheld pending the NAC's hearing.
Minutes after the rulings, Nurmagomedov made his feelings clear about his punishment on Twitter.
politics forever
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 29, 2019
Nurmagomedov's teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, were both issued one-year suspensions and $25,000 fines for their roles, according to Okamoto.
