April 5th marks the eighth anniversary of Conor McGregor's infamous attack on a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and other UFC fighters. The incident occurred in 2018 and became one of the most notorious moments in mixed martial arts history. The post invited fans to reflect on how much time has passed since the controversial event. The bus attack was a major catalyst that intensified the rivalry between McGregor and Nurmagomedov, eventually leading to their UFC 229 showdown.
Eight years ago this week, Conor McGregor hurled a metal dolly through the window of a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and several other UFC fighters at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, injuring multiple athletes and staff. The April 2018 incident sent shockwaves through the sport and remains one of the most infamous moments in MMA history.
McGregor, now 37, was at the center of one of combat sports' most combustible rivalries during that period. The Notorious carries a professional record of 22-6-0 and has competed out of SBG Ireland throughout his career. A southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he ranks among the more prolific strikers the sport has seen, averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy.
On the other side of the bus window that day was Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters to ever compete. The Eagle, also 37, stands five-foot-ten and represented Russia and the Fightspirit Team throughout his dominant career. His grappling numbers remain staggering — 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes — and he landed 4.1 significant strikes per minute, complementing a suffocating ground game.
Why it matters
- The bus attack led directly to criminal charges against McGregor and set the stage for one of the sport's most anticipated bouts
- McGregor and Nurmagomedov eventually met at UFC 229 in October 2018, with the rivalry culminating in a post-fight brawl that drew widespread attention and significant sanctions
- The episode remains a reference point for discussions about fighter conduct, security protocols at UFC events, and the blurred line between rivalry promotion and criminal behavior
- Eight years on, both men have moved well beyond that Brooklyn parking garage, yet the incident continues to define how their careers are remembered together
