UFC scraps press event after Chechen star involved in backstage brawls (VIDEO)

The UFC canceled its press conference to promote UFC 279 due to a series of brawls involving Khamzat Chimaev, Kevin Holland and Nate Diaz Read Full Article at RT.com

TroibNews TroibNews
Sep 9, 2022 - 11:00
0
UFC scraps press event after Chechen star involved in backstage brawls (VIDEO)

The last media event before UFC 279 descended into chaos

The UFC was forced to cancel its UFC 279 news conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday after what president Dana White described as a "s**t show" ensued when several brawls occurred between fighters backstage.

White tried to keep the media event going and planned to bring up the six main fighters scheduled to speak in pairs. 

As welterweight contender Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez were speaking to reporters about their bout, however, White had to cancel the event entirely.

As White explained, this was due to confrontations between Holland and Khamzat Chimaev plus Chimaev's opponent in the headline bout, Nate Diaz, and former-fighter-turned agent Tiki Ghosn. 

"It was a complete s**t show," White stated.

Though they are not fighting one another on Saturday's card, the fact that Chimaev and Holland clashed is no surprise given they have gone at each other on social media and in separate interviews across recent history. 

This week, Holland questioned Chimaev's credentials and suggested that the 28-year-old is fake for acting friendly behind closed doors but putting on a tough guy act when the camera are rolling.

"He only does this extra 'wannabe' street s**t when the media's around," Holland said.

According to sources who spoke to ESPN, Sweden-based Chechen Chimaev made for Holland backstage which led to shoving between the men and those nearby trying to separate them.

Chimaev then allegedly hit Holland with a front kick and was dragged away by a suited-and-booted Li Jingliang – who had been brushing up on his English in order to speak before a crowd ahead of his fight with Tony Ferguson – prior to Holland reportedly giving chase to his attacker. 

On Twitter, Holland addressed the row by saying: "Just so everyone knows. I offered that clown a free beard trim. I don’t know anywhere in the US that would offer that service free!

"I am precise, I promise I would not knick him. At your service just like the hotel staff, bro," he added, in reference to a 2020 dig from Chimaev when he quipped that Holland was a hotel staff member.