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MMA revolves around unarmed combat between two highly skilled fighters. Fans of the sport are interested in watching the best possible fights. At the same time, the mixed martial artists involved dedicate themselves to developing the necessary skills and mindset to either knock out or submit their opponents.
Violence is expected in combat sports. While some MMA fighters opt for a less risky approach via point-fighting, most mixed martial artists would be pleased to flatten their foes with a highlight-reel KO or force them to surrender to a crippling submission. Unfortunately, in the world of MMA, tempers can flare.
Feuds between fighters sometimes remain unresolved even after a bout. Disagreements during post-fight interviews can spark something worse. So while they are generally uncommon, post-fight brawls can and do happen. Some are well-known, while others fly under the radar.
#5. MMA's ProFC 57 post-main event brawl
Russian MMA has become something of a meme in recent years due to some of the pre-fight brawls that have made the rounds in social media circles. At ProFC 57, however, a brawl took place right after the main event ended. Shamil Abdulkhalikov and Mikhail Kolobegov clashed in a middleweight title bout.
The pair fought for three rounds. After the matchup concluded, Abdulkhalikov was certain that the judges would declare him the victor. Unfortunately, an error by the judges led to a fourth round being added to the bout, during which Kolobegov demolished the defending champion with a flying knee to score a KO win.
While Kolobegov celebrated his comeback win, members of his foe's team rushed into the cage and attacked him. This sparked a wild brawl that completely overshadowed the event.
#4. PRIDE 31 co-main event brawl
In his penultimate fight under the PRIDE banner, MMA pioneer and original UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman faced future UFC light heavyweight kingpin Maurício 'Shogun' Rua back in 2006. It was the first of two encounters between the pair. Unfortunately, its conclusion was both anticlimactic and controversial.
Their bout was a classic matchup between a wrestler and a striker. But within 49 seconds of the fight starting, 'The Hammer' secured a takedown, unintentionally injuring him after 'Shogun' fell on his elbow, dislocating it. Unfortunately, Coleman was unaware of his foe's injury and tried to land follow-up punches.
After the referee stepped in to call an end to the bout, Rua's team—Chute Box—stepped inside the ring, outraged by Coleman's conduct. They attacked him, prompting his own team to enter the ring as a brawl engulfed them. PRIDE personnel eventually managed to end the brawl, but the damage was done.
#3. The EliteXC: Return of the King post-main event brawl
It might be difficult for modern-day MMA fans to imagine a time when EliteXC hosted MMA cult icons like Nick Diaz. Back then, however, Stockton's bad boy lacked the following that he now has. In 2007, he faced K.J. Noons in the main event of an EliteXC card.
Diaz lost the bout via doctor stoppage in the first round after sustaining a deep cut. A year later, the pair were scheduled for different fights at the same event. Noons served as the headliner while Diaz fought in the co-main event. After the Hawaiian emerged victorious, Stockton's finest stepped into the cage.
He challenged him to a rematch, to which 'King' asked his hometown crowd if Diaz deserved a rematch. While fans in attendance responded by drowning Diaz in boos, Stockton's finest responded with a now infamous quote.
"Don't be scared, homie"
This sparked a brawl involving Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz, as well as K.J. Noons' father. Unfortunately, as history shows, it wasn't the last tussle that involved the Diaz brothers.
#2. The Strikeforce: Nashville brawl
Back in 2010, Jake Shields was the newly crowned Strikeforce middleweight champion. After defending his title for the first time against power-punching legend Dan Henderson, his post-fight festivities were interrupted by former foe Jason Miller, who entered the cage and demanded a rematch.
This caused both Jake Shields and his teammate Gilbert Melendez to push 'Mayhem' away. But before long, Nick Diaz entered the fray, throwing a punch to spark a skirmish involving their entire team before a combination of Dan Henderson's corner and Strikeforce personnel broke up the melee.
The Nashville brawl had grave consequences as it caused CBS to cancel half of its television contract with Strikeforce.
#1. The UFC 229 post-main event brawl
The feud between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is unlike any other in UFC history. The two men could not be more different than they already are. One is an understated Russian with cold-blooded certainty, while the other is a brash trash-talker with overstated confidence.
After a wave of vitriolic trash talk and personal insults from the Irishman, the pair crossed swords at UFC 229. The bout was business as usual for 'The Eagle', who dominated the proceedings en route to a fourth-round submission. However, with his adrenaline pumping, there was no calming him down even after his foe quit.
With all the trash talk and personal insults he was subjected to, Nurmagomedov couldn't contain himself and scaled the cage before leaping into the crowd as he attacked his foe's corner. He specifically targeted Dillon Danis. Meanwhile, his own cornermen entered the cage and attacked 'The Notorious'.
While UFC personnel eventually restored order, Dana White opted against wrapping the lightweight title around the Russian's waist for fear of a riot breaking out. Suspensions and fines were dealt out by the NSAC and it remains the most infamous brawl in MMA history.
