Nate Diaz-Jorge Masvidal press conference erupts into brawl
July 12, 2020; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Jorge Masvidal punches Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports Before Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal meet in the boxing ring next month, their respective teams got in some early blows against one another during a press conference that erupted into a brawl Thursday.
A member of Diaz's support team punched Masvidal after an abrupt end to the outdoor press conference in Anaheim, Calif.
Tensions were high from the start as Diaz was apparently annoyed at being at the event. He declared he was "done with this whole press conference (expletive)" and said he was leaving.
Organizers attempted to stop him from exiting the stage and asked him to do the traditional faceoff with his opponent. Diaz briefly flexed for the cameras but left again before Masvidal could meet him at center stage.
Masvidal slapped at one of Diaz's team members, who responded by throwing a punch, igniting the brawl, according to the report. Masvidal did not appear to suffer any injuries.
An April 19 news conference involving the two fights also ended early in Los Angeles when Diaz also was fed up and departed.
Diaz and Masvidal, both 39, previously fought in UFC 244 in 2019 and Masvidal won by TKO (doctor stoppage). They were originally scheduled to box June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., but the match was rescheduled for July 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim to not conflict with UFC 302 the same day.
--Field Level Media