By Nelson Santana
October 25, 2018
McGregor got away with violence
How the media protected a racist
A tale of money, power and racism
Sports is not immune to racist ideas
Both fighters “suspended” by the Nevada State Athletic Commission
On Saturday, October 6, Khabib Nurmagomedov (27-0) successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Championship against Connor McGregor (21-4) inside the UFC octagon at UFC 229. Nurmagomedov’s defeat of McGregor came via submission in the fourth round. Nurmagomedov’s victory is poetic justice for a man subjected to attacks based on his culture and religion at the hands of a racist fighter protected by the establishment.
“McGregor is a self-rigtheous pompous racist who serves as the poster child for the UFC and gets a free pass because he is white”
However, it was the post-match shenanigans—which resembled a WWE ending melee—that most fans will remember. After Nurmagomedov’s dominant victory, a brawl broke out both inside and outside the octagon. Nurmagomedov jumped over the octagon to attack McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis. Meanwhile, two of Nurmagomedov’s teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Islam Makhachev entered the octagon to attack McGregor. New footage from investigative journalist Mike Russell, however, reveals that Rizvan Magomedov “harassed” Dillon Danis who pushed him away. Seemingly, Nurmagomedov only saw the push from Danis, prompting his jump.
“Nurmagomedov’s victory is poetic justice for a man subjected to attacks based on his culture and religion at the hands of a racist fighter protected by the establishment”
Unfortunately, the white mainstream media has depicted Nurmagomedov as the ultimate villain while celebrating McGregor’s violent physical attacks on people, Islamophobia (on the rise since the election of Donald Trump), all the while shielding him from any critique.
Genesis of the Brawl
Prominent UFC figures and journalists alike seem to celebrate McGregor’s actions and condemn Nurmagomedov, a Muslim fighter.
Prior to Saturday’s main event showdown, a violent assault transpired, leading to McGregor’s arraignment in a Brooklyn court! McGregor attacked a bus full of mixed martial artists on April 5 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. According to those familiar with the story, the genesis of the incident occurred when Nurmagomedov’s countryman and McGregor’s friend and training partner, Artem Lobov, made critical comments of Nurmagomedov. According to sources, Nurmagomedov did not take kind to Lobov’s words and a verbal confrontation ensued between the two.
McGregor then got word and in turn attacked a bus that Nurmagomedov and other colleagues were riding, injuring several people.
Heart of the Matter
In truth, the violence perpetrated by McGregor is a textbook example of white men being absolved of violence. In fact, the celebration of McGregor and condemnation of Nurmagomedov is a racist double standard. According to several accounts, including TMZ, Danis referred to Nurmagomedov as a “Muslim rat” among other derogative terms and expletives. Not only did Nurmagomedov make eye contact with Danis during the fight, but Danis did not cease running his mouth during the fight.
For his part, McGregor directed a barrage of verbal insults at Nurmagomedov during the weeks leading up to their fight and insulted his people (Dagestan) and religion (Islam).
According to another account not shared by most media sources, McGregor threw a punch at Nurmagomedov’s corner after the fight, prompting retaliation from two of Nurmagomedov’s teammates.
“In truth, the violence perpetrated by McGregor is a textbook example of white men being absolved of violence”
The UFC and traditional media has given McGregor—a white Irish fighter—a free pass. As noted earlier, in April the Irishman attacked a bus full of UFC fighters, throwing a dolly through a window and inflicting harm on the people on the bus. Since McGregor is the UFC’s main cash cow and also white, he did not receive any severe punishment, with the UFC using the incident to promote the McGregor-Nurmagomedov fight. During the fight’s press conference, McGregor offered alcohol to Nurmagomedov—mocking Islam—and called him a “backward cunt.” McGregor also used the expletives on Twitter, which is still up on his official account.
Also during the press conference, McGregor got hold of Nurmagomedov’s title and called his manager a “mad terrorist.”
McGregor is a self-rigtheous pompous racist who serves as the poster child for the UFC and gets a free pass because he is white. In the past, he has taken opponents’ belts and paraded them, has thrown water bottles at fans, and has hurled racist remarks against opponents such as Floyd Mayweather and José Aldo.
Although McGreggor has been paid, Nurmagomedov’s US$2 million purse is being withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and he is facing a $2 million fine. If this injustice and double standard is not proof of the racism toward Nurmagomedov and entitlement of McGregor, then we do not know what is.
McGregor is anything but humble. Although he admits he lost the fight, on Instagram he claims, “I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his…From a fight standpoint the first round is mine.” White privilege and excuses!