Usman Nurmagomedov issues statement after UFC Shanghai cage-rush
UFC fighter Usman Nurmagomedov has defended his decision to rush the cage following his brother Umar's knockout loss to Song Yadong. He dismissed criticism of his behavior as being rooted in a lack of understanding regarding family loyalty.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about athlete conduct and the regulatory oversight of professional fighting promotions when events occur outside traditional government-sanctioned jurisdictions.
Usman Nurmagomedov says pump the brakes on criticism of his UFC Shanghai behavior.
On Saturday, a devastated Nurmagomedov rushed to his brother's aide immediately upon Umar Nurmagomedov 's knockout loss to Song Yadong. In order to do so, he leaped over his cousins Khabib and Abubakar, and burst through the cage door opening. In the process, he collided with Yadong, and nearly clocked him with a spinning back elbow.
Nurmagomedov did pull back on Yadong. He reached his brother's side as staff tried to contain the situation.
The sequence of events led to criticism from many viewers. But in a statement Sunday, Nurmagomedov tried to reason about the situation, citing brotherhood, as an understandable emotional driving factor.
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