Nurmagomedov returns to hero’s welcome, blasts ‘dimwit’ McGregor
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia raises his champions belt upon the arrival in Makhachkala on October 8, 2018. Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout by way of submission during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. / AFP PHOTO / Vasily MAXIMOV
Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov said he had “shut up that dimwit” Conor McGregor as he lapped up a hero’s welcome on his return to his native Dagestan following the successful defense of his UFC lightweight crown against the Irishman.
“Khabib! Khabib!” a crowd of some 20,000 fans chanted to welcome the unbeaten champion in an arena in the town of Kaspiysk, 14 kilometers from Dagestan’s main city of Makhachkala.
READ: Melee at UFC 229 after Nurmagomedov chokes out McGregor
Excited by Nurmagomedov’s appearance, hundreds of his compatriots broke through lines of stewards and pushed their way onto the pitch, trying to get as close as possible to the champion.
“Thank you, brothers,” replied Nurmagomedov, who showed off his champion’s belt to the crowd.
On Saturday Nurmagomedov defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship world title after putting McGregor in a brutal chokehold and forcing the Irish superstar to ‘tap out’ during a fourth round submission.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, right, is pushed back by referee Herb Dean after fighting Conor McGregor, bottom, during a lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Nurmagomedov won the fight by submission during the fourth round to retain the title. (AP Photo/John Locher)
It took his unbeaten professional record to 27-0 and 11-0 in UFC bouts.
“I’d prayed to the Almighty every day not to have injuries, for it all happen,” Nurmagomedov said.
“I wanted to shut up that dimwit up to prove the difference between our people and his people.
“Nobody can break us, our people have a great history,” he boasted. “Hopefully, I’ve justified your expectations.”
READ: UFC champ could face fine, suspension for post-fight fracas
Although eventually awarded his championship belt, the Russian is still awaiting confirmation of whether he will receive 1.5 million dollars prize money following a post-fight fracas that saw him jump over the octagon and attack one of McGregor’s training partners, Dillon Danis.
A dramatic free-for-all ensued, with members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage jumping into the octagon to attack McGregor as stunned officials battled to restore order.
It proved a dramatic climax to weeks of media posturing between the bitter rivals, during which the brash Irishman stoked the flames through a series of insults about Nurmagomedov’s family and his Muslim religion.
READ: McGregor late for pre-fight presser, Nurmagomedov not in mood to wait
As security tried to quell the chaos in the crowd, the exhausted McGregor eventually departed in a huddle of security personnel.
Nurmagomedov was also hustled out surrounded by security officers as the pro-McGregor crowd jeered and threw drinks at him.
The UFC chief Dana White refused to hand Nurmagomedov his belt in the Octagon, saying he feared it would further inflame the crowd.
