McGregor and Diaz clashed at a press conference. Photo: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC
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With just over two days to go until UFC 196, the atmosphere between Conor McGregor e Nate diaz It's hotter than ever. The protagonists of the event in Las Vegas (USA) came face to face in yet another press conference and almost came face to face in the traditional face-off.
The conversation with the press was full of provocations from both sides. McGregor, encouraged by a large Irish crowd present at the venue, was inspired, and didn't spare Diaz his words. The North American tried to respond, almost always with insults and insults.
At the end of the journalists' questions, McGregor and Diaz posed for the official photo together. Diaz took a fighting stance and placed his right hand close to the Irishman's face, who didn't let it go and slapped his rival's arm. It was enough for a huge mess to break out on stage.
UFC president Dana White had to intervene to prevent a fight from breaking out there. Diaz's training partner, Jake Shields, and his older brother, Nick Diaz, also entered the scene, but were separated by security.
Check out the video of the confusion:
McGregor: “I want to bury another body in Las Vegas”
Before the fight, the two athletes held a heated press conference. The first to provoke more openly was McGregor, who accused Diaz of being intimidated as the fight approached.
“This sport is full of cowards. This guy, let's see if he can fight. He talked a lot, but now he behaves like a scared little boy, trying to pass the spotlight on to his training partners. He wants to pass the spotlight here and there, and that's what scared people do. So let's see what he does. He’s all bully until a real man shows up”, said the featherweight champion, being interrupted a few times by insults from Diaz.
A few questions later, McGregor poked at his rival over his financial situation. “Nate should thank me. In his last fight, he received $20, which is less than a 'Performance of the Night' bonus. So he needs to be grateful to me for that,” he snapped. The American replied: “You also need to thank me, because you will receive more now than you would have to face Rafael dos Anjos", said.
The Irishman then hit harder. “Don’t talk about money with me. You are broken. I could change everything quickly and throw you back to $20 salaries. You owe me a dance! Dance for me, Nate! Dance for me, but don’t look me in the eye,” he snapped.
Showing that he was inspired, McGregor recalled his successful past fighting in Las Vegas, the city in which he defeated Dustin poirier, Chad Mendes e José Aldo. “I love Las Vegas. I've already buried three bodies here, and Saturday night I'm going to bury the fourth. I like it here. The land here is clean, so I can bury the bodies easily”, he provoked.
McGregor later said he wanted to prolong the fight on purpose. “He does everything the same, he is very, very predictable. He looks like a gazelle, so I'm going to play with him. I am a lion and I will swallow you alive. Your gazelle friends will see it up close and think they’ll never want to face me,” he added.
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