Conor McGregor vs Khabib: Nurmagomedov team member brags about attacking Irishman
Zubaira Tukhugov was one of three Russian men arrested and later released in Las Vegas
Zubaira Tukhugov has taken to social media to boast about his attack on Conor McGregor after the Irishman’s defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.
As Nurmagomedov launched himself into the crowd to attack McGregor's teammate Dillon Danis, Tukhugov leapt into the cage and unleashed a number of bare-fisted punches on the Irishman who was still regaining his senses after tapping out just moments earlier.
In a video posted to Twitter, Tukhugov said: “I slapped him as promised. I promised to make him answer for his words and I did.”
Khabib vs Conor McGregor
Show all 30Also hailing from Chechyna, Tukhugov was incensed by the derogatory remarks made by McGregor centering round the rule and religion of the region - 95% of Chechens practice Islam - as well as comments about Nurmagomedov's father, who is a revered wrestling instructor in Russia.
Ali Abdelaziz, Nurmagomedov’s manager, who McGregor repeatedly labelled as an “informant” and a “terrorist” throughout the build-up also took to social media to condemn the Irishman's remarks.
“When you talk about people’s country, family and religion and intentionally try to kill someone like he said and the cornermen running their mouths after, this is the fight game & s**t happens”
Tukhugov was one of the three men arrested after the bout but was released when McGregor declined to press charges. It's thought that Nurmagomedov may well be stripped of his UFC Lightweight championship by the Nevada Commission in the near future.
The last time Tukhugov actually fought in the UFC was in May 2014, after which he tested positive in an out of competition USADA doping test for ostarine and was given a two-year ban and fined $10,000.
He was however due to return later this month against Conor McGregor’s stablemate Artem Lobov but that bout is almost certain to be called-off with Dana White saying at the post-fight press conference that he will likely never fight in the UFC again.
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