Khabib Nurmagomedov’s next title defense has been delayed due to a legal stalemate with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi first reported the NSAC’s decision to delay Khabib Nurmagomedov’s disciplinary hearing to January 29, rather than today. This action resulted from a failure by the NSAC and Khabib’s legal team to reach a disciplinary decision.
The disciplinary hearing, of course, is in regards to the brawl that followed the UFC 229 main event between Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Khabib leapt over the cage to attack McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis, and while that was happening, two of Khabib’s teammate jumped into the cage to attack McGregor (after McGregor struck one who was hanging over the cage). The UFC did not levy any punishment against either fighter back in October, and the NSAC still has yet to come to a ruling for either fighter involved.
Conor McGregor’s hearing was also supposed to take place today, but his continuance was granted last week. NSAC Director Bob Bennett also told MMA Fighting that McGregor’s hearing would likely happen on the same day as Nurmogomedov’s, which is on January 29.
Khabib Nurmagomedov won the vacant lightweight title against Al Iaquinta at UFC 223, and defended his title for the first time at the aforementioned fight against McGregor. He is undefeated with an incredible record of 27-0 in his career, 11 of which came inside the Octagon.
With the lightweight division full to the brim with worthy contenders, having the champion held out of action due to a legal stalemate does the sport a disservice. Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson both have more than worthy cases to fight for the title next, and will in all likelihood not want to fight each other in the meantime. This has been a theme for the 155-pound ranks since McGregor won the title: plenty of great fighters, and very few title fights.
