After many fights broke out backstage between competitors and their crews on Thursday at MGM Grand Garden Arena, the UFC 279 news conference was canceled.
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, tried to keep the news conference moving by introducing the six fighters two at a time, one for each upcoming bout. The fight between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez was scheduled to be on the pay-per-view card, but after both fighters spoke to the media and fans in attendance about the battle, White decided to cancel the show.
At a press conference after the postponement, White blamed Khamzat Chimaev and Holland, who were supposed to fight on Saturday night but now are not facing each other at UFC 279. White claims that none of the bouts on the card are in threat because none of the combatants needed medical care.
It was a total disaster, White claimed. For months, Chimaev and Holland have engaged in a public feud on social media and in interviews.
According to reports, Chimaev approached Holland backstage before Thursday’s news conference, resulting in some pushing and people trying to separate the two, before Chimaev hit Holland with a front kick.
Fighter Li Jingliang, who faces Tony Ferguson this coming Saturday, mixed martial arts (MMA) agent Tiki Ghosn, a former fighter, and security personnel all worked together to pull Chimaev away. White commented that he appreciated Ghosn’s presence since he knew he could rely on him. After they got separated, sources said Holland gave chase.
UFC 279 features a main event between Nate Diaz and Chimaev. According to reliable sources, when members of Diaz’s team saw Ghosn with Chimaev, they mistakenly assumed that Ghosn was on Chimaev’s team and began yelling at him. Some members of Diaz’s squad reportedly tossed water bottles at Ghosn and Chimaev’s.
White claims that several water bottles were used to strike Ghosn in the head and that he also received slaps and kicks. White remarked, “If it hadn’t been for Tiki, we would have been in trouble.” Tiki sacrificed a few for the team even though he wasn’t a member.
White promised that the UFC would be better prepared for Friday’s weigh-ins, Saturday’s fight night, and future news conferences. White has stated that there will be zero repercussions for any employees.
In other words, “this is what we do,” White stated. It’s just part of the battle industry, and we’ll learn from today’s mishaps so that it never happens again.
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