The post marks the eighth anniversary of Conor McGregor's infamous bus attack targeting Khabib Nurmagomedov. The incident occurred ahead of UFC 223 in Brooklyn when McGregor threw a metal dolly at a bus carrying fighters, including Nurmagomedov. The attack resulted in injuries to multiple fighters and led to criminal charges against McGregor. This event significantly escalated the rivalry between McGregor and Nurmagomedov ahead of their eventual UFC 229 bout. The anniversary serves as a reminder of one of the most controversial moments in UFC history.
Eight years ago this week, Conor McGregor stormed the Barclays Center loading dock in Brooklyn and hurled a metal hand truck through the window of a bus carrying UFC fighters, in one of the most shocking incidents in the promotion's history. The attack, which took place ahead of UFC 223, was aimed at Khabib Nurmagomedov and left multiple fighters injured, with McGregor subsequently facing criminal charges stemming from the melee.
McGregor, now 37, holds a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Notorious is a southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, and his career numbers reflect a high-volume, accurate striking style — averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy. The bus attack came at a moment when tensions between him and Nurmagomedov had boiled over long before either man entered the octagon together.
Nurmagomedov, also 37, retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record and remains one of the most dominant grapplers the sport has ever seen. The Eagle, representing Russia and Fightspirit Team, stood five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and averaged an extraordinary 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career, routinely suffocating opponents on the canvas.
Why it matters
- The Brooklyn incident directly intensified the build-up to UFC 229, transforming an already heated rivalry into a mainstream cultural flashpoint.
- McGregor's criminal charges and the injuries sustained by other fighters on the bus underscored how far outside normal promotional friction the episode fell.
- The event remains a reference point for discussions about fighter conduct, UFC security protocols, and the consequences of personal rivalries escalating beyond verbal confrontation.
The eighth anniversary serves as a stark reminder that the McGregor-Nurmagomedov saga extended well beyond their single meeting inside the cage, leaving a complicated legacy for the sport.
