Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor fought only once, but no UFC fight has ever sold more. UFC 229 in October 2018 drew a reported 2.4 million pay-per-view buys. Khabib dominated, submitting McGregor with a neck crank in the fourth round to retain the lightweight title, and then jumped the cage to attack McGregor's teammate, setting off a brawl that led to suspensions for both men.
This page covers the fight round by round, the bus attack and the press tour that made it personal, a statistical comparison and our verdict.
Head-to-head record
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor: Khabib 1–0. Every big-event meeting between the two, oldest first.
| # | Date | Event | Venue | Match | Result | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 6, 2018 | UFC 229 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | UFC lightweight title | Khabib Nurmagomedov won | Neck crank, R4 3:03 |
Every match: our commentary
UFC 229 · Oct 6, 2018
Khabib took McGregor down in the first round and held him against the fence. In the second he dropped McGregor with an overhand right, then mauled him on the ground with punches for the rest of the round. McGregor had his best moments standing in the third, but in the fourth Khabib took him down again, took his back and finished with a neck crank. Seconds later Khabib climbed over the cage toward Dillon Danis, and members of Khabib's team entered the cage and punched McGregor.
The backstory
The feud exploded on April 5, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. After Khabib confronted McGregor's teammate Artem Lobov earlier in the week, McGregor and a group attacked a bus carrying Khabib and other fighters, and McGregor threw a hand truck through a window. Two fights were cancelled because fighters were injured by the glass, and McGregor was charged and later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
The UFC 229 press conference in September 2018 was the most aggressive of McGregor's career, including comments about Khabib's family, country and religion. Khabib said afterward that this was why he reacted the way he did after the fight.
The Nevada commission suspended Khabib for nine months with a $500,000 fine and McGregor for six months with a $50,000 fine. Khabib retired unbeaten at 29–0 in 2020; there was never a rematch.
Tale of the tape
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | Conor McGregor | |
|---|---|---|
| Height / reach | 5 ft 10 in · 70 in | 5 ft 9 in · 74 in |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Base | Combat sambo, wrestling | Boxing |
| UFC titles | Lightweight champion (2018–2020) | Featherweight and lightweight champion |
| Record after UFC 229 | 27–0 | 21–4 |
| Career | Retired 29–0 (2020) | Active |
By the numbers
| Head-to-head stat | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Conor McGregor |
|---|---|---|
| Wins vs. each other | 1 | 0 |
| Knockdowns | 1 (R2) | 0 |
| Rounds won (judges' view at stoppage) | Rounds 1, 2 and 4 | Round 3 |
How fans and critics reacted
UFC 229 broke the UFC's pay-per-view record, and the post-fight brawl was condemned by the UFC, the commission and many fighters, while plenty of fans sided with Khabib because of what was said in the build-up.
Inside the cage the fight was seen as conclusive: Khabib was never in danger, and the result confirmed him as the best lightweight in the world.
Our take
Khabib, clearly. He won the only fight they had in the way everyone said he would, and he retired before a rematch could be made. McGregor's best round was the third, and he still lost it on one card.
Our view: the brawl should not overshadow how one-sided the fight was.
Our verdict: Khabib Nurmagomedov.
FAQ
Who won Khabib vs. McGregor?
Khabib Nurmagomedov, by neck crank in the fourth round of UFC 229 on October 6, 2018.
How many PPV buys did UFC 229 get?
A reported 2.4 million, the UFC's record.
What happened after Khabib vs. McGregor?
Khabib jumped the cage to attack Dillon Danis and members of his team punched McGregor. Khabib was suspended for nine months and fined $500,000; McGregor six months and $50,000.
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Sources: Wikipedia: UFC 229 · Wikipedia: Khabib Nurmagomedov. Facts verified Oct 18, 2026.