Khabib Nurmagomedov Provides Eyebrow Raising Reason Why he Attacked Dillon Danis

When Khabib Nurmagomedov attacked Dillon Danis in the now infamous, post-fight brawl at UFC 229, most folks believed it was because of something Danis said. Well, as it turns out, that’s not the only reason…

If you’ve followed Danis since he became part of Conor McGregor’s team, you know that the talented grappler and Bellator fighter isn’t exactly shy. Danis, like McGregor, doesn’t hold back when it comes to slinging verbal trash.

So, that’s why most people just assumed Khabib specifically targeted Danis, after he tapped out McGregor. But, during a recent interview with Submission Radio, Nurmagomedov said this (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“No, I didn’t hear him, you know. I jumped on him because other corner is too old; because Conor’s other corner, other coaches, too old, and that’s why I jumped on him, because he’s almost like my age,” Nurmagomedov said. “If I jumped on (coach John) Kavanagh, I don’t think it’s too — cause Kavanagh can’t fight me. That’s why I jumped on him. But when I fight, I didn’t hear him, it was too loud.

“But I don’t like his whole team. I have choice what I’m gonna do, but all other old coaches were too old for me. They cannot fight with me. They’re almost like my father’s age. That’s why I jump on him.”

So, there you have it. Khabib also talked about the fight itself with McGregor, and while doing so, he offered this interesting take on the former champ’s timing.

“He was like, in the first round for a couple of minutes, he’s not bad,” Nurmagomedov said. “But after that he’s slow and weak. He tried to talk with me about, ‘Oh, this is only business’. You know, this meant for me, ‘Please, calm down, don’t smash me.’

This is something that more and more people in the MMA world are citing as well. McGregor is ridiculously dangerous in the first or second round, but, his cardio remains a question. As Firas Zahabi alluded to recently. McGregor boosters, however, would likely point out that he did outscore Nate Diaz in their five-round rematch.

All this aside, Nurmagomedov should find out soon what sort of disciplinary action he’s going to receive from the Nevada Commission, due to his actions at UFC 229.