Story updated at 5:25 p.m. ET to include a prepared statement from Conor McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar. 

LAS VEGAS – The executive director for the Nevada State Athletic Commission believes the managers for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor are just as responsible for the UFC 229 brawl as those who fought.

NSAC chief Bob Bennett did not mention the managers by name. But in an interview held after the commission’s Wednesday hearing to extend the fighters’ temporary suspensions and release half of Nurmagomedov’s disclosed purse, Bennett criticized the reps for their role in the incident.

“You should know that the Nevada State Athletic Commission made a concerted effort on two independent occasions to speak with both managers of both fighters and tell them, ‘Listen, we don’t want any problems during the ceremonial weigh-in and at the end of the fight,'” Bennett told MMAjunkie. “I specifically spoke with them.

“We didn’t want to be in a position that we’re in today had they would have managed their fighters in a professional manner. Unfortunately, they didn’t take heed to my comments, and that’s why we’re here today.”

McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC) are managed, respectively, by Paradigm Sports founder Audie Attar and Dominance MMA founder Ali Abdelaziz.

Abdelaziz did not respond to a request for comment. In a prepared statement, Attar told MMAjunkie, “We respect the commission and the work they are doing. Our belief is that once they finish their investigation, the commission will conclude that this situation was caused by the dangerous and unprofessional actions of Khabib and that they will discipline Khabib accordingly.”

Abdelaziz was a frequent verbal target of McGregor in the buildup to the fight. On Tuesday, the Abdelaziz blasted a social media post from McGregor explaining his submission loss to Nurmagomedov, saying the ex-champ quit and dismissing a rematch.

In 2015, Bennett met with Abdelaziz to express “operational and administrative concerns” over charges the rep was double-dealing as a manager and matchmaker for the WSOF (now rebranded as the PFL).

McGregor and Nurmagomedov physically were separated by UFC President Dana White and other officials at the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 229. But NSAC inspectors and security officials were unable to intervene before a full-scale brawl broke out inside and outside the cage at the blockbuster pay-per-view event, which took place Oct. 6 at T-Mobile Arena.

Bennett declined to speculate on the potential outcome of complaints against the fighters. The documents are currently being drafted by the Nevada attorney general’s office, which represents the commission in disciplinary matters.

McGregor and Nurmagomedov face fines, a suspension and other potential punishments for the brawl, which was sparked when Nurmagomedov leaped over the octagon and fought with McGregor teammate Dillon Danis.

The NSAC immediately withheld Nurmagomedov’s $2 million diclosed purse, but today voted to release half of that to the fighter pending the resolution of his case. Bennett backed the move and echoed NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell’s position that McGregor’s purse would have been withheld if the commission had more knowledge about his role in the brawl.

The UFC also took action against Nurmagomedov cornerman Zubaira Tukhugov for fighting with McGregor, removing him from a co-headliner opposite McGregor teammate Artem Lobov at UFC Fight Night 138. In return, both Nurmagomedov and Lobov threatened to leave the UFC.

Marnell said anyone who was licensed in connection with the event and participated in the brawl faces potential punishment.

For complete coverage of UFC 229, check out the UFC Events section of the site.