A few days ago reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov threatened UFC to leave the promotion, if it considered firing his teammate Zubaira Tukhugov from UFC following his infamous action of smacking Conor McGregor in post-fight melee in UFC 299.
However, recently UFC President Dana White told TMZ Sports that Khabib would continue to be a part of UFC and that everything between the two has been worked on. According to Dana,
“We’re good. We are good with Khabib. You guys are still posting that shit. It happened a week ago. A lot happens in a week in this business.”
Right after gaining an impressive win over Irish opponent Conor McGregor, Khabib jumped off the octagon to attack Conor’s teammate Dillon Danis, while the Dagestani native’s training partner Zubaira Tukhugov barged into the cage to exchange some blows with the defeated Irishman.
Zubaira Tukhugov was to square off with Conor’s teammate Artem Lobov later this month. However, following the mayhem after the fight, Tukhugov was nixed from the fight with Michael Johnson taking up his vacant spot.
Sensing a threat to Zubaira’s future in the promotion, the Eagle posted on social media his intentions to leave UFC, if Tukhugov was expelled.
In post-fight press conference, Dana expressed his disappointment at the unexpected turn of events. However, the promotion’s President says that he can understand how Khabib got carried away by his emotions, as the Russian had been facing a lot of criticism from the Notorious in post-fight buildup.
According to UFC President Dana White,
Obviously he was a little upset, a little fired up. We will get it all worked. Guys get very emotional and that was a very emotional fight for him, obviously. At the end of the day, Khabib is a great guy and we have always had a great relationship. He’s staying.”
When questioned about Tukhugov’s future in UFC, Dana said he didn’t have much to say. According to UFC’s top management,
“I don’t know what will happen, we will see how it plays out.”
What Khabib’s teammate may face for his unprofessionalism on the night of the fight, is not known yet. However, there is hope for Tukhugov as Dana White might consider taking him back, once things settle down.
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