Conor McGregor vs Khabib: How Dillon Danis incited UFC 229 post-fight brawl

Immediately after submitting McGregor, Nurmagomedov became involved in a war of words with the Irishman’s training partner

Tuesday 09 October 2018 12:27 BST
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UFC- Khabib Nurmagomedov apologies for post-fight melee after defeating Conor McGregor

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It’s the one question everybody has been asking since UFC 229 descended into chaos: just what did Dillon Danis say to Khabib Nurmagomedov to provoke him into jumping over the Octagon and attacking Conor McGregor’s corner?

Nurmagomedov beat McGregor with ease in the early hours of Sunday morning, dominating the first two rounds before winning via neck crank in the fourth.

But it was the fight after the fight that has dominated all of the headlines.

Immediately after submitting McGregor, Nurmagomedov became involved in a war of words with the Irishman’s training partner, Danis.

He threw him gumshield in Danis’ direction before vaulting over the Octagon and flying towards the Belllator welterweight feet first. But what did Danis say?

McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, has provided the best answer so far.

Kavanagh appeared on UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s podcast after the fight and was asked about the altercation.

“We couldn't hear what he said but Dillon absolutely was insulting Khabib and saying something to him and provoking him,” Rogan said.

But Kavanagh has revealed that – in fact – Danis said nothing at all.

“He actually didn't say anything,” Kavanagh said. “Now I was standing beside Dylan, I didn't see what he did but I could hear. So he didn't say anything.

“Now maybe, there was something else in the lead up. Dillon is a bit of a troll online, so there's probably a build up of other stuff. Like I said, it wasn't that big of a deal to me, what Khabib did, it just really wasn't.”

John Kavanagh training with Conor McGregor
John Kavanagh training with Conor McGregor (Getty)

Here’s everything we know about the brawl and what happens next.

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