Khabib Nurmagomedov has warned UFC fighters to not face Colby Covington after an alleged altercation with rival Jorge Masvidal.
Masvidal has been arrested and charged with 'felon battery' by Miami Beach Police after an incident outside a Papi Steak restaurant on Monday.
'Gamebred' is said to have punched the victim, who wasn't identified after invoking their right under Marsy's Law, 'with a closed fist two times in the face'.
Former friends turn enemies, Masvidal and Covington's feud got personal after Covington said the former was a 'deadbeat dad' who was doing damage to his children.
It isn't the first time 'Chaos' has engaged in personal trash talk and Nurmagomedov believes there's no place for it in the sport.
He posted to Twitter: "If you are stronger than someone inside the octagon, it does not mean that you can insult his children. No one has the right to insult someone's family. Once you have gone down this path, then be ready to back up your words.
"You were attacked by professional fighter, the same as you are, your own size, and you go press charges against him to the police?
"I think all welterweights should refuse to fight Colby, just don't accept fights with him, let him sit without a fight, it will probably significantly affect him and all fighters who even think of insulting families, who is provoking the fighters to look for someone in restaurants to deal with him."
Nurmagomedov was famously involved in a number of pre and post-fight brawls with Conor McGregor in 2018.
He was targeted by the Irishman in a bus attack during a UFC 223 media day, something UFC president Dana White called 'the most disgusting thing' in company history.
After Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor at UFC 229, he jumped out of the octagon which started a wild melee.
'The Eagle' retired with a 29-0 record in 2020 after defeating Justin Gaethje.
Covington beat Masvidal in the main event of UFC 272 on March 6, with the comments about Masvidal's children coming in the build-up to that grudge match.
The 34-year-old told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith: "He is a deadbeat dad - the only life-altering damage he is doing is to his kids. He doesn't talk to his kids.
"He's a deadbeat man. He's a nobody, he's a criminal."
Masvidal's manager, Malki Kawa, appeared to confirm his client has been released from police custody in the early hours of Thursday.
Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, UFC
Daniel Marland