Chaos
Dana White cancels UFC 279 press conference for safety reasons with fighters, including Kevin Holland and Khamzat Chimaev involved in backstage bust-up
Chaos in Las Vegas saw UFC president cancel a press conference moments after it began.
On Thursday evening, an altercation between fighters backstage forced the boss' hand, with White's announcement accompanied by boos by assembled fans who were there ahead of
6
6
6
The media session, staged to promote the event, was initially delayed by 30 minutes before White appeared to tell the gathered press and fans that he'd be bringing fighters out in pairs, explaining it was a real 's*** show' back there, nodding backstage.
First out were Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez to answer a few questions before they were let go, with Holland reiterating his boss' comments when quizzed on what was going on.
When they left the stage, staff whispered to White, detailing the situation and the unprecedented decision was made to scrap proceedings.
“This ain’t going to happen,” White told a disappointed crowd. “I apologise, everybody. I am in very weird waters here. This has never happened in the history of this company.
“Trust me when I tell you this is the right decision not to do this press conference right now. For everybody’s safety, this is the right decision. I apologise. Thanks for coming.”
It was later reported that Holland and Khamzat Chimaev, who is fighting in the main event against Nate Diaz were involved in a bust up.
6
Most read in MMA
It was initially reported that Chimaev push kicked Holland in the chest, though the latter appeared to deny this, tweeting that he offered to trim the beard of Chimaev, a Muslim. "Just so everyone knows. I offered that clown a free beard trim," he said.
"I don’t know anywhere in the US that would offer that service free! I am precise I promise I would not nick him. At your service just like the hotel staff, bro."
Darren Till, a friend and teammate of Chimaev was later seen in a verbal altercation with Holland.
White, though admitting everything started between the pair and then escalated, with multiple skirmishes and not enough security contributing to the decision to cancel. He felt that due to the number of people involved in the altercations, he feared it erupting on stage, hence the decision made for everyone's safety.
6
6
He did not elaborate on the reports, however, and simply stated it will not happen again.
"For 22 years, however long I’ve been doing this, we’ve never had an incident like today. All hell broke loose out here. We stopped it, but we didn’t do a good job of not letting it happen.
“I don’t know what went on here. It’s never happened before. We’ll be ready for it the next time. … It was crazy. It was absolutely nuts back here.”
White, 53, said it won't effect Saturday's card as nobody was injured.
is an exciting one for fans as it sees fan favourite Diaz in his last fight for the company taking on rising star Chimaev.
Topics