The post marks exactly eight years since Conor McGregor's infamous attack on a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and other fighters. The incident, which took place ahead of UFC 223 in Brooklyn, became one of the most notorious moments in MMA history. McGregor threw a dolly at the bus, shattering windows and injuring multiple fighters. The attack led to criminal charges against McGregor and intensified the rivalry between the two fighters, ultimately leading to their blockbuster UFC 229 bout later that year. The anniversary serves as a reminder of one of the sport's most dramatic and controversial episodes.
Eight years ago this week, Conor McGregor stormed the Barclays Center loading dock in Brooklyn and hurled a metal dolly at a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and fellow UFC fighters ahead of UFC 223, an act that sent shockwaves through the sport and reverberated long after the broken glass was swept away.
McGregor, now 37, holds a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses fighting out of SBG Ireland. The southpaw stands five-foot-nine with a remarkable 74-inch reach and lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect the elite striking pedigree that made him a star long before the Brooklyn incident. The attack resulted in criminal charges against him and saw him stripped of his involvement in several UFC 223 bouts that weekend.
Nurmagomedov, also 37, retired with a perfect 29-0-0 record representing Russia and the Fightspirit Team. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, "The Eagle" built his legacy on suffocating grappling, averaging 5.32 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate among the highest ever recorded at the elite level — while still landing 4.1 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- The bus attack escalated what was already a heated rivalry into one of the most personal feuds in UFC history, setting the stage for UFC 229 later in 2018.
- McGregor faced criminal proceedings in New York following the incident, a rare and serious legal consequence that extended the story well beyond fight week.
- UFC 229 drew a then-record pay-per-view buyrate, demonstrating how the confrontation ultimately amplified mainstream interest in both fighters and the sport itself.
- The anniversary highlights how off-cage incidents can shape divisional narratives and fighter legacies as powerfully as results inside the octagon.
