Daniel Cormier Reveals Dana White Refunded Him for Calming Khabib Nurmagomedov After Conor McGregor Fight

It’s been nearly seven years since the Dagestani and the Irish camp brawled at UFC 229. But even now some previously unknown details — a twist in the narrative or a fact — keep trickling out from those who were involved in that infamous incident. UFC veteran Daniel Cormier played a big role in calming down Khabib Nurmagomedov and settling the chaos at the T-Mobile Arena. There is more.

Dana White was so indebted for his act during the Khabib-Conor McGregor fight that he refunded the former champion the money he had paid to get octagon-side seats for his family. Almost a $10,000 gift of gratitude, revealed Cormier while talking to Chael Sonnen on this week’s episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy.

For the UFC president, that money would have been nothing compared to what DC did that night. That too, while keeping his emotions in check. It would have been so easy for Cormier to lose control seeing his friends involved in a brawl.

Cormier told Chael he initially wanted to jump in and start throwing hands. That thought flashed ever so briefly in Cormier’s mind before better sense prevailed. 

“This was such a hot ticket Chael… Immediately in my head I am like we gotta stop these guys. I start stopping the fight, I calm Khabib down, I get him to leave the octagon, Dana refunds me all my money,” said DC.

Cormier’s intervention was not just to separate the brawlers. His bond with Khabib came in handy to ease the lightweight champ’s verbal standoff with White.

It all began when Khabib famously leaped out of the cage and attacked Dillon Danis following his win over Conor McGregor. This triggered an all-out brawl between the two camps, with members from both teams rushing into the octagon to attack the opposition fighter. 

Once the chaos was under control, White spoke to Khabib. The UFC president refused to put the belt around him since it would make fans go crazy. The Eagle was not willing to pay heed and said he wouldn’t leave until the belt was wrapped around his waist. That is when Cormier stepped in to relax the Dagestani superstar.

The Khabib-Conor fight, and the infamous brawl, started the ongoing feud between Dagestani and Irish MMA fans. Things, however, seem to have taken a turn for the good now.

After the fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes earlier this week for the Bellator lightweight title, Khabib took the initiative by asking his fans to bury the hatchet.

Khabib invited Hughes to Dagestan

Usman continued his undefeated reign by successfully defending his lightweight title at PFL Dubai in a close fight with Hughes on January 25. The decision was controversial, though, with fans, fighters, and Hughes himself voicing concerns about the scoring.

Despite the aggressive buildup to the bout, the heated competition, and the debate following it, Khabib took to social media to thank Hughes. He then invited the Irish fighter and his family to visit Dagestan, saying they would be a great example for the younger generation.

Hughes responded, expressing his respect and appreciation. But then he also suggested that a rematch with Usman should be on the cards before any visits to Dagestan.