Drake Looks Terrified at UFC 229 as Khabib Takes On McGregor’s Entire Team

Tom Ozimek
Updated:

Celebrity rapper Drake looked terrified in the ringside seats as Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the octagon fence and charged at “team McGregor” members immediately following his crushing victory at UFC 229 on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas.

As the Russian fighter dove into the crowd in pursuit of McGregor’s jiu-jitsu coach Dillon Danis in an ongoing feud, sparking a violent all-in melee, someone snapped a photo of Drake with an apparent look of fear in his eyes.

Drake had earlier posed for photographs with McGregor and enthusiastically proclaimed his support for “The Notorious,” most recently during the Oct. 5 weigh-ins when he draped an Irish flag over his shoulders.

Drake carries an Irish flag as he attends Conor McGregor's ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Drake carries an Irish flag as he attends Conor McGregor's ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

But photos shared on social media of Drake in the moments after Nurmagomedov charged the crowd, have sparked humorous reactions.

“Run Drake Run ??” commented @scoutcheff on Twitter, posting a compilation of photos of Drake from UFC 229, starting with a headshot of the enthusiastic rapper cheering, but culminating with him appearing nervous and unsettled.

Three of Nurmagomedov’s teammates were arrested following the incident, though McGregor refused to press charges, tweeting instead “Good knock. Looking forward to the rematch.”

“This is absolutely the craziest moment I have seen in all my years calling fights,” declared UFC color commentator Joe Rogan.

It is unclear what comes next for the unvanquished 27-0 Nurmagomedov.

“A lot of bad stuff that shouldn’t have happened,” White said of the brawl at a post-fight press conference on, according to Fox Sports. “Khabib jumped over the cage going after one of Conor’s guys, who I guess was talking trash to him, and all hell broke loose.”

White also revealed Nurmagomedov’s share of the purse—believed to be around $2 million—is being withheld by the Nevada State Athletics Commission, the body that sanctioned the fight.

The Russian fighter could also be stripped of his UFC lightweight title, or even face suspension from the UFC.

“We’ll see,” UFC chief Dana White said during a post-fight press conference. “The NSAC is going to hand down some type of fine or suspension, we’ll see. I don’t know. If he gets suspended, it depends how long it is but yeah he will probably get stripped if it’s a long suspension.”

Nurmagomedov also issued a brief statement during the press conference.

“First of all, I want to say sorry to Nevada Athletic Commission and second to Vegas. I know this is not my best side. I’m a human being. But I don’t understand how people can talk about how I jump on the cage. He talked about my religion, he talked about my country, he talked about my father,” he said, without answering any questions before leaving.

Given McGregor’s tweet, however, and the continued animosity between the two fighters, the ground appears set for a lucrative rematch.

Fourth-Round Neck Crank Clinches the Win

Nurmagomedov ended McGregor’s attempt to win back the title when he sealed a brutal submission victory with a neck crank in the fourth round.
Nurmagomedov (red-banded gloves) leaps at Conor McGregor during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena, Oct 6, 2018, Las Vegas. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Nurmagomedov (red-banded gloves) leaps at Conor McGregor during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena, Oct 6, 2018, Las Vegas. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The fight had been highlighted by bad blood between the camps, with McGregor pleading guilty in July as part of a deal with prosecutors to resolve charges over an April melee in which he attacked a bus the Russian was traveling on.

McGregor, making a comeback to the octagon after nearly two years away, looked dangerous in the early striking exchanges, but as expected, Nurmagomedov quickly took the fight to the ground. During the second round, Nurmagomedov even dropped McGregor with an overhand right hand.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (red-banded gloves) fights Conor McGregor during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Oct 6, 2018, Las Vegas. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Khabib Nurmagomedov (red-banded gloves) fights Conor McGregor during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Oct 6, 2018, Las Vegas. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Russian smothered the Irishman with his grappling skills throughout the fight.

In the fourth round, Nurmagomedov applied a devastating neck crank after securing a dominant position on McGregor’s back, ending the fight at 3:03 after McGregor tapped out.

Nurmagomedov’s victory stretched his professional record to 27-0 and handed the Irishman his second defeat in the UFC.

Reuters contributed to this report.