Updated October 07, 2018 17:50:36

Photo: Khabib Nurmagomedov got the better of Conor McGregor in a brutal MMA title bout at UFC 229 in Las Vegas. (AP: John Locher)

Khabib Nurmagomedov ended Irish fighter Conor McGregor's attempt to win back the UFC lightweight title when he sealed a brutal submission victory with a rear naked choke hold in the fourth round on Sunday afternoon (AEDT).

The win prompted a mass brawl to break out in and around the cage, with a red-shirted fan landing several blows on McGregor before security intervened.

That came after Nurmagomedov scaled the perimeter fencing of the octagon and started brawling with a member of McGregor's team.

Both fighters were subsequently escorted from the arena by police and security.

UFC president Dana White refused to give Nurmagomedov the championship belt in the ring, saying: "If I put this belt on you everyone is going to start throwing s**t."

Ring announcer Bruce Buffer proclaimed the Russian as the winner of the fight to a chorus of boos before Nurmagomedov was escorted from the arena by police.

"That was absolutely disgusting," commentator Joe Rogan said.

"It's terrible for the sport."

McGregor, making a comeback to the octagon after nearly two years away, had looked dangerous in the early striking exchanges but as expected, Nurmagomedov quickly took the fight to the ground.

The Russian smothered him with his wrestling skills and prevented him from getting back to his feet for the rest of the round.

The Irishman was then wobbled by an early right cross from the Russian in the second round and the fight was soon on the floor again, but this time the Russian champion was able to keep the challenger from getting his back to the cage.

McGregor survived until the end of the round, giving a tired smile as the horn went, and in the third period he managed to keep the fight standing, tripping off shots to the head and body as he rediscovered his range.

However, it proved to be too little, too late, and the Nurmagomedov was once again on top in the fourth, sapping McGregor's energy with his excruciating pressure before the choke ended the fight 3:03 into the fourth round.

The victory stretched his professional record to 27-0 and handed the Irishman his second defeat in the UFC.

Reuters/ABC

Topics: sport, martial-arts, united-states

First posted October 07, 2018 17:29:19