UFC legend Nate Diaz is set to face star Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday 10th September in Diaz's final fight for the UFC.
In a turn of crazy events, Dana White was forced to cancel the UFC279 press conference after fighters 'Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland get into altercation backstage.
Here's everything you need to know about what happened at the UFC279 press confrence.
What Happened at UFC279 Press Confrence
The press conference was planned ahead of Saturday's UFC 279, which features a welterweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and former UFC Lightweight Championship contender Nate Diaz.
A confrontation happened between Kevin Holland, who is fighting on the undercard, and Chimaev, as Dana White informed reporters off camera. However, the fight did not end there. According to various sources, other fighters and their respective camps got involved in the argument as well.
For months, Chimaev and Holland have been arguing on social media and in interviews.
According to ESPN, Chimaev approached Holland backstage before Thursday's press conference, resulting in some shoving and others attempting to separate the two before Chimaev landed a front kick on Holland. Li Jingliang, who battles Tony Ferguson on Saturday, and former fighter and MMA agent Tiki Ghosn, as well as security, drew Chimaev away.
White stated that it was fortunate that Ghosn was present to assist. According to accounts, Holland then gave chase once the two were separated.
Darren Till talks UFC 279 Presser
In a recent interview with TheMacLife, Khamzat Chimaev's partner Darren Till discusses the backstage brawl at the UFC 279 news conference involving Chimaev, Kevin Holland, and Nate Diaz.
“It was just normal, I don’t know if I’m saying that because we are fighters it was normal, because we fight all the time,” Till said.
“I don’t see this like anything, nothing. It’s just team versus team. They are going to protect Nate and we’re going to protect Khamzat. It’s team versus team, that’s all there is,” Till said.
Watch the UFC 279 pre fight press confrence unfold below.
