Few moments in the combat sports world are as infamous as the post-fight brawl between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. While the incident itself was far from humorous, veteran referee Herb Dean recently shared a hilarious story. This showcased Nurmagomedov’s unwavering respect for officials, even in the midst of chaos.
During a recent appearance on The Casuals MMA podcast, Dean lifted the curtain on the chaotic scene that unfolded after Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor. The infamous brawl saw Team Nurmagomedov and Team McGregor collide rapidly. The referee revealed even in that situation, Nurmagomedov and his team remained extremely respectful to UFC officials.
The funny part about it is that even though that whole brawl was chaos, all those guys [Khabib and his team] were extra respectful of the officials.
Herb Dean via The Casual MMA by OOSS media
The Russian fighter leaped over the octagon fence to confront McGregor’s team, especially Dillon Danis. Pandemonium erupted, and officials scrambled to maintain control. Amidst the chaos, Dean found himself face-to-face with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who, despite his heated state, maintained an unexpected level of respect for the veteran referee.Â
The moment, though brief, offered a glimpse into Nurmagomedov’s character, even in the heat of battle. Despite the intense emotions and the adrenaline-fueled frenzy, the undefeated fighter recognized Dean’s authority and consciously tried to differentiate him from the melee unfolding around them. Dean’s story offered a touch of levity to an otherwise chaotic moment in UFC history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes a hilarious jibe at Herb Dean for allowing Conor McGregor to cheat at UFC 229
Rivalries can be intense in the UFC. Take Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bitter rivalry with Conor McGregor. Their bout at UFC 229 was one for the storybooks. But after all the dust settled, Nurmagomedov made a joking remark at Herb Dean, who officiated the historic fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov takes a hilarious jibe at Herb Dean (via Los Angeles Times)The encounter took place a year after Khabib’s historic bout with Conor McGregor at UFC 229. In a lighthearted moment, the undefeated champion playfully accused Dean of being bribed during the fight.
Coach [Javier Mendez], how much do you think they paid him?
Khabib Nurmagomedov backstage ahead of his fight against Dustin Poirier (2019)
The jest was aimed at Dean’s officiating during the McGregor match. Dean, known for his calm demeanor, played along with Nurmagomedov’s jest and quipped that he was just trying to do a good job. This humorous accusation came from several unrecognized fence grabs and an illegal knee that McGregor used during the bout. Nevertheless, it was a hilarious act from Khabib and not meant as something serious.
