Khabib Nurmagomedov Gets Half of UFC 229 Purse From NSAC

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released half of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC 229 $2 million purse after their meeting on Wednesday. MMAjunkie reports that the NSAC voted unanimously to release $1 million of his purse, with the other half tied to the resolution of a disciplinary hearing in December.

Nurmagomedov’s purse was withheld by the NSAC after his involvement in the post-fight brawl that took place after he defeated Conor McGregor. Temporary suspensions for both Nurmagomedov and McGregor were extended until the hearing. NSAC Chairman Anthony Marnell said that McGregor’s $3 million purse would have been withheld as well if they had known the extent of his involvement in the chaos.

Both fighters are expected to attend the hearing. While Nevada deputy AG Caroline Bateman said that the commission is allowed to keep 100% of a fighter’s payday and impose bans up to lifetime durations for disciplinary cases, Marnell noted, “The last thing I want is to be accused of (being) arbitrary and capricious and all over the place.”

Marnell added that the withholding of Nurmagomedov’s purse is less than 20% of his total payday, estimated as “somewhere in the $5, $6 million range, all things considered.”

“I think it would be appropriate to release some of the funds, especially when we didn’t have the knowledge that we have now regarding Conor McGregor,” NSAC commissioner Christopher Ault added. “That camp probably would have been subjected to some things that we’ve done with Khabib.”