The incident was captured on camera when UFC fighter Conor McGregor spit in the face of a spectator who was cheering for Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Social media users shared footage of McGregor and his team strolling around the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, where the Irish mixed martial artist is seen arguing with a fan. He turned back and came up to McGregor after hearing the fan yell, “Let’s go Khabib” in his direction.
The fan seemed confused as he processed the scenario after McGregor seemed to spit in his face.
McGregor then said “I spit in your face, and what did you do? Nothing!” Before walking off in the other direction.
Paul Hughes’ altercation with Usman Nurmagomedov has rekindled the long-running rivalry between McGregor and Nurmagomedov. On January 25, Hughes, a fighter from Belfast, Northern Ireland, lost by a slim margin against Usman for the Bellator MMA lightweight title.
Khabib’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, is 19-0 and currently trains him after he retired from mixed martial arts combat. Although Usman defeated Hughes by decision, unlike McGregor and Khabib, the two men have a great deal of respect for one another.
“You are the man,” Nurmagomedov said to Hughes. “Brother, you’re tough. Honestly, I underestimated this guy. But I’m still undefeated and I’m still the undisputed Bellator lightweight champion.”