CONOR McGREGOR may well have thrown the first punch in last night's appalling brawl with Khabib Nurmagomedov's team members.

At first glance, it seemed the defeated Irish star was attacked by Zubaira Tukhugov and another member following his fourth-round loss.

8

8

8

But footage now appears to show Notorious kicking it all off with a swift punch as the melee first got going.

Dana White had earlier today said Khabib's team may be banned for life for their part in the brawl.

Following the outrageous scenes, White said: "The guys who jumped in will never fight here again.

"I've been working hard to promote this sport, this is not what a mixed martial arts event is normally like."

8

8

8

Tukhugov jumped into the octagon following Khabib's fourth-round win and rained down a series of blows on the defeated Irishman.

But now UFC chief White may be forced to change his tack after footage shows McGregor aiming a left hook to kick things off.

Nurmagomedov beat McGregor by submission in the fourth round before jumping out of the octagon and unleashing a vicious attack on McGregor's team-mate Dillon Danis.

The chaos ensued in the front rows of the crowd as a number of people entered the octagon in Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.

MORE UFC STORIES

'FATAL RISK'

Cage-fighting bosses face manslaughter trial after man killed in 'absurd' bout

ED'S UP

Eddie Hall reveals UFC champ will help prepare him for MMA debut vs Pudzianowski

KHAB CALL

Khabib reveals why huge UFC super fight WON'T happen after Dana White update

MAC ATTACKED

Conor McGregor issued blunt warning from new UFC star after retirement U-turn

As security stepped in to protect McGregor, another man went for him.

White and many others piled into the octagon to try and restore some order - with the UFC president refusing to hand the champion his belt in anger.

Khabib had produced a fantastic performance to beat McGregor, who tapped out in the fourth round of their UFC 229 showdown.

Three of the Russian's team have been arrested and taken to jail following the hideous scenes.

8

8

White said: "Three of Khabib’s guys have been arrested and are on the way to jail now.

“I know if we put the belt on him (Khabib) in the octagon they’ll be things thrown. I just said let’s just try and get him out of here.

“Both men made it clear that the rivalry would not be over after the fight, but I definitely didn’t see Khabib jumping over the fence after the fight.

“Daniel Cormier and Luke Rockhold were great in diffusing things.”