Clearing the way? Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin and training partner set to face Nevada Commission
Khabib Nurmagomedov's teammates Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov are set to face the Nevada State Athletic Commission to have their cases reheard in Las Vegas on Wednesday following the UFC 229 melee in Las Vegas.
Abubakar and Tukhugov were both involved in the ugly melee that broke out inside and outside the octagon following Khabib's fourth-round submission victory over Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena last October.
And in the aftermath of the incident, the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed out a succession of bans to those involved.
Khabib was banned for nine months for starting the melee by jumping the cage to attack McGregor teammate Dillon Danis, while McGregor was suspended for six months for his part in the melee.
In addition, Abubakar and Tukhugov were both suspended for one year each for their involvement, leading to Khabib stating that he would not return until his teammates were also clear to compete.
Interesting. Nevada Commission's monthly meeting is next week. Two items of note: Motions to rehear cases against Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Zubaira Tukhugov for UFC 229 brawl. Originally suspended thru October, but remember Khabib said he wouldn't fight until both were cleared.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 17, 2019
Now the Nevada State Athletic Commission are set to discuss the punishments of both Abubakar and Tukhugov at their upcoming meeting.
Both men are set to have their cases reheard, followed by hearings for "Proposed Adjudication Agreement" for both athletes.
The two fighters are the final items of the day's business for the commission on Wednesday and, depending on the detail of the rehearings, could potentially see their suspensions reduced, or even ceased for time already served.
If both men end up having their suspensions lifted or ended, it would then open the door for Khabib to formally agree his widely-expected title unification bout with Dustin Poirier.
The lightweight title clash is believed to be targeted for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
