April 5, 2018, marked the infamous incident when Conor McGregor attacked a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The post commemorates the eighth anniversary of this notorious event that shocked the MMA world. The attack occurred during UFC 223 media day and resulted in multiple fighters being injured by broken glass. McGregor was arrested and charged following the incident, which significantly escalated the rivalry between the two fighters. This confrontation ultimately set the stage for their highly anticipated UFC 229 bout later that year.
Eight years ago this week, Conor McGregor stormed the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and hurled a metal hand truck through a bus window, setting off one of the most chaotic and widely condemned incidents in MMA history. The attack, which took place on April 5, 2018, during UFC 223 media day, injured several fighters aboard the vehicle — including Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg — when shattered glass rained through the cabin. Khabib Nurmagomedov, the bus's most notable passenger, was the apparent target of the assault.
McGregor, now 37, carries a professional record of 22-6 and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Irishman is a southpaw with a 74-inch reach and one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, landing 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. His rivalry with Nurmagomedov had been building for months through a series of increasingly heated verbal exchanges before that Brooklyn afternoon turned physical.
Nurmagomedov, also 37, entered that period as one of the division's most dominant forces. The Russian carries a perfect 29-0 professional record and built his legacy largely on relentless grappling, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. The Eagle, representing Fightspirit Team, stood as lightweight champion at the time of the incident.
McGregor was arrested by New York Police Department officers shortly after the attack and later faced criminal charges stemming from the melee.
Why it matters
- The incident directly accelerated the timeline toward UFC 229, one of the most commercially successful cards in the promotion's history.
- Multiple fighters sustained injuries from broken glass, raising serious questions about fighter safety and access protocols at media events.
- The rivalry between the two men transcended sport, drawing mainstream media attention far beyond the typical MMA audience.
- The events of that day remain a defining and divisive chapter in the careers of both fighters.
