Out of solidarity with Tukhogov, Nurmagomedov refuses to compete until October

The Dagestani MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, disqualified for nine months, refused to appear at the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) until the expiration of the one-year disqualification of Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov, members of his team. He also intends to pay the fines awarded to them, the fighter's managers have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 29, 2019, the Athletic Commission of the State of Nevada decided to fine Khabib Nurmagomedov by 500,000 US dollars and remove him from fights for nine months for the brawl after the fight with the Irishman Conor McGregor. Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib's brother, and Zubaira Tukhugov, his sparring partner, were suspended for a year and fined by 25,000 US dollars each. Their disqualification terms are counted since October 6, 2018, the Commission has ruled.

Rizvan Magomedov, Khabib's manager, has confirmed that he will not appear at the UFC until the expiry of Abubakar's and Zubaira's disqualification.

"We believe that Abubakar and Zubaira were unfairly suspended for a year," Mr Magomedov has added.

According to Ali Abdel-Aziz, another Nurmagomedov's manager, Khabib will pay the fines imposed on Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, the ESPN has reported.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 30, 2019 at 09:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.