Khabib Nurmagomedov threatens to leave the UFC if promotion releases Zubaira Tukhugov for role in UFC 229 brawl

Shortly after UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event last Saturday, his and McGregor’s teams engaged in a wild brawl, inside and outside of the Octagon. One of the fighters involved in this brawl was Nurmagomedov’s friend and training partner, UFC featherweight Zubaira Tukhugov.

Because of their status as two of the UFC’s biggest and most valuable stars, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor will not be released by the promotion for their role in this wild brawl. Tukhugov, however, could be — especially after he bragged about slapping McGregor on social media after the riot. 

Apparently, Khabib Nurmagomedov is worried about Zubaira Tukhugov’s future in the organization. The promotion has already cancelled Tukhugov’s upcoming fight with McGregor’s training partner Artem Lobov, and it would not be shocking if they tore up his contract too.

Speaking on Instagram on Thursday morning, the UFC lightweight champion gave the UFC an ultimatum: release Tukhugov and you lose me.

“I would like to address [UFC],” Khabib Nurmagomedov said in this lengthy statement.

“Why didn’t you fire anyone when [McGregor’s] team attacked the bus and injured a couple of people? They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family?

“Why do you have to punish my team, when both teams fought. If you say that I started it, then I do not agree, I finished what he had started.

“In any case, punish me, [Zubaira Tukhugov] has nothing to do with that. If you think that I’ll keep silent then you are mistaken. You canceled Zubaira’s fight and you want to dismiss him just because he hit Conor. But don’t forget that it was Conor who had hit my another brother FIRST, just check the video.

“If you decide to fire him, you should know that you’ll lose me too. We never give up on our brothers in Russia and I will go to the end for my brother. If you still decide to fire him, don’t forget to send me my broken contract, otherwise I’ll break it myself.

“And one more thing, you can keep my money that you are withholding. You are pretty busy with that, I hope it won’t get stuck in your throat. We have defended our honor and this is the most important thing. We intend to go to the end.”

What do you think of this ballsy ultimatum from Khabib Nurmagomedov? Is he bluffing, or is he serious?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/10/2018.