Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Angry Confrontation With Dana White Revisited by Coach Javier Mendes

It’s been over seven years since the infamous “bus incident.” Don’t know what we’re talking about? Why, the incident involving Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov during the week of UFC 223, of course. The chaos unfolded when ‘The Notorious’, accompanied by his Irish entourage, stormed New York’s Barclays Center, aiming to confront future UFC Hall of Famer. This was in retaliation for ‘The Eagle’s alleged mistreatment of the Irishman’s close friend, Artem Lobov. Things quickly escalated when Conor McGregor attacked a bus carrying UFC 223 fighters, including Khabib.

The incident, which resulted in injuries to several fighters, became one of the dirtiest moments in UFC history. Dana White, visibly outraged, didn’t hesitate to voice his anger. The NYPD arrested McGregor, facing three misdemeanor assault charges and one felony charge. However, White didn’t place the blame solely on Conor McGregor. He also pointed the finger at Khabib Nurmagomedov for initiating the conflict. “What Khabib forgets is, he and his crew surrounded Artem, Conor’s friend, and Khabib slapped him in the face… People forget—this started with Khabib,” White said at the time.

The UFC CEO’s frustration with both McGregor and Nurmagomedov eventually escalated into a public feud, which was highlighted during UFC 223, when Khabib Nurmagomedov faced Al Iaquinta. Although ‘The Eagle’ secured the win, his focus seemed divided during the fight, and one particular moment has recently resurfaced online. The Dagestan native’s head coach, Javier Mendez, brought this moment back into the spotlight by posting a clip on the Instagram story.

The video, taken during a break in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s five-round battle with Iaquinta, shows ‘The Eagle’ ignoring his coach’s advice and instead calling out to Dana White, who was watching cage-side. From inside the Octagon, Khabib Nurmagomedov called out, “Dana! Dana! You want to talk a little bit?” White, caught off guard, responded, “What’s that?” ‘The Eagle’ repeated, “Do you want to talk a little bit?” Dana White asked, “What do you want to talk about?” The UFC Hall Of Famer, laughing mid-fight, replied, “We know who I am.”

True to his words, Khabib Nurmagomedov backed it up just months later on MMA’s biggest stage—UFC 229. In one of the most highly anticipated clashes in UFC history, he overwhelmed Conor McGregor with a dominant, career-defining performance. ‘The Eagle’ didn’t just win; he made a statement by “smashing” the Irishman, settling their bitter rivalry once and for all.

MMA: UFC 229-Nurmagomedov vs McGregor, Oct 6, 2018 Las Vegas, NV, USA Khabib Nurmagomedov red gloves reacts after his fight against Conor McGregor blue gloves during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports, 06.10.2018 22:00:12, 11394160, NPStrans, T-Mobile Arena, Khabib Nurmagomedov, MMA, Conor McGregor, TopPic, wow PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxR.xSylvaniex 11394160

But even after the victory, the tension didn’t fade. The friction between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dana White was still evident, especially when White was forced not to wrap the championship belt around ‘The Eagle’s waist after the fight—a decision that spoke volumes. Scroll down to uncover more about the post-UFC 229 drama.

Why did Dana White refuse to put the belt on Khabib Nurmagomedov?

The UFC 223 post-media day brawl was just the beginning. The real chaos erupted after UFC 229, following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s victory over Conor McGregor. After securing a rear-naked choke, ‘The Eagle’s emotions reached a boiling point when the Irishman’s ally, Dillon Danis, made derogatory remarks about the Dagestani fighter. This prompted the UFC Hall of Famer to leap over the Octagon and charge at McGregor’s team. ‘Team Khabib’ swiftly followed, rushing the Octagon to confront ‘The Notorious’.

Amid the turmoil, Khabib Nurmagomedov famously declared, “They go to the hospital, we go to the police.” The aftermath of this brawl left UFC President Dana White deeply concerned. Fearing that handing Nurmagomedov the championship belt might further escalate the situation, White was caught on UFC footage expressing his unease: “This is what I believe: if I put this belt on you, everybody is going to start throwing s**t into the Octagon… Other people might get hurt.”

Though the Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight is now behind us, their rivalry continues to resurface, often from new and unpredictable angles. Only the MMA gods know what’s next—stay tuned for updates.

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