KHAMZAT CHIMAEV attacked Khabib Nurmagamedov’s cousin cageside at UFC 280.
The incident occurred as Khabib was presenting Islam Makhachev with the lightweight belt following his victory over Charles Oliveira.
Khabib’s cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov appeared to be having a cordial conversation with Chimaev.
The pair hand their hands locked as Abubakar whispered something into Chimaev’s ear.
A friend tried to intervene as he noted tensions rising but he could not prevent Chimaev from lashing out.
The 28-year-old landed a punch on Abubakar who returned a jab of his own before the pair were split apart by security.
Abubakar, 32, was in the crowd after earlier fighting and beating Gadzhi Omargadzhiev on the undercard of UFC 280.
It is not clear what he said to provoke Chimaev, who also clashed with Kevin Holland backstage at UFC 279 before beating the American inside the octagon.
UFC chief Dana White was asked about the brawl but revealed he is not too concerned by Chimaev’s aggressive streak.
He said: “The guy⦠what do I even say about that? It happens⦠especially with him.
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“He was sitting on our side. I didn’t even know Khamzat was coming tonight, he was invited by Abu Dhabi. The seats behind me are owned by Abu Dhabi.
“This is a rough business, mean things are said and sometimes guys get into it.
“It’s our job here at the UFC to make sure things don’t happen. We weren’t right on it to stop it happening but these things happen.
“We have 800 alpha men and women under contract and sometimes they cross paths at events and these things happen. It doesn’t bother me or hurt my feelings; we handle it and we move on.”
