UFC should allow opportunity for trash talk

On October 6, Conor McGregor fought undefeated Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. After four rounds, Khabib tapped McGregor out with arearnaked choke; what followed was unprecedented in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. After the fight, Khabib jumped from the octagon to attack Dillon Danis, McGregor’s Jiu-Jitsu coach. Moments later, members of Khabib’s team jumped into the octagon to attack McGregor. The brawl resulted in part of Khabib’s two milliondollars in winnings to be withheld by the UFC and possible suspensions for both fighters.

Ultimately, acting this way after a fight is unacceptable and a disgrace to the UFC. Former mixed martial arts fighter Matt Lisi, also known as The Lumberjack, was 5-1 in his martial arts career. Lisi commented on the brawl.

“Khabib should be suspended by that Athletic Commission for instigating. Not a long term though. . . . I also don’t believe anyone should be fired/banned from the UFC,” Lisi said.

Many people blamed McGregor for the brawl because of the offensive comments he often makes to his opponents before and during the fight. Before the fight, he made comments about Khabib’s father, his nationality and his religion. Trash talking before fights should not be stopped because it is a part of the sport and makes the days leading up to the fights much more interesting.

Lisi currently works as a salesman and was able to use that knowledge to understand why McGregor uses such vulgar language when talking to his opponents.

“In order to make the most money, you have to not only be very skilled and have credibility, but you have to be charismatic. . . . [McGregor] Sells his brand aggressively,” Lisi said.

Though the UFC should allow trash talk before fights, they need to do a better job of keeping fighters separate before and after the fight. Months before the fight, on media day, McGregor threw a metal dolly at Khabib’s bus, injuring multiple people on the bus. The UFC needs to take precautions to keep fighters safe before and after the fight, while still allowing them opportunities to talk trash.