Khabib Nurmagomedov has still not received his fight purse from UFC 229 on 6 October 2018, more than seven years after his main-event win over Conor McGregor.
What happened at UFC 229?
The Nevada State Athletic Commission froze Khabib Nurmagomedov’s $2 million purse after he jumped the cage and attacked McGregor’s corner following their lightweight title fight. Dana White, the UFC president, told reporters the NSAC kept the money pending an investigation. Bob Bennett, the NSAC executive director, confirmed the hold to Marc Raimondi of MMAFighting.com.
McGregor took punches from Khabib’s teammates after they stormed the cage. White said the NSAC first withheld both purses but later paid McGregor after reviewing footage and interviewing him. The commission announced McGregor’s $3 million purse tied his own record from the UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz.
Why it matters for Khabib Nurmagomedov
The purse freeze keeps Khabib’s earnings in limbo while regulators finish their probe. The scheduled $2 million was a show fee, with potential cuts from pay-per-view revenue on top. White framed the hold as a standard step while authorities sorted out the post-fight chaos.
Khabib’s team has not commented publicly on the delay. The NSAC’s decision to pay McGregor first signals they saw his account as less tied to the brawl’s aftermath. Still, the probe drags on for the Dagestani star.
What comes next?
The NSAC has not set a timeline for closing the case. Bennett’s comments suggest the commission reviews video and interviews before acting. Khabib’s purse remains frozen until regulators lift the hold or impose penalties.
White said the UFC stands by its fighter but defers to the NSAC’s process. No fines or suspensions have been announced yet. The saga drags on for Khabib’s finances and legacy tied to the infamous brawl.