Where one “Smesh Bro” goes, the other follows.
UFC 279 fight week has gone down in history for having not only the quickest pre-fight press conference of all time but perhaps the most eventful. After bringing out two of the main card’s competitors, Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez, UFC President Dana White hoped to bring the following two fights out one by one due to some tension that had been stirred up backstage. Instead, White called off the whole thing, noting shortly after that things had gotten “very physical” and too many moving parts were involved to run things safely.
White added that the altercations stemmed from an interaction between one of the main eventers, Khamzat Chimaev, and Holland before Chimaev’s opponent, Nate Diaz and his team got involved.
Since Chimaev’s last fight that took place earlier this year, he’s formed a strong friendship with UFC middleweight contender Darren Till and the Brit is once again cornering “Borz.” Joining along for Thursday’s press conference, Till shared his perspective when catching up with The Mac Life.
“It was just normal,” Till said. “I don’t know if I’m just saying that because we’re fighters ’cause we just fight all the time.
“So, we’ve been separated all week, the teams, there’s about 30 of us and I think there’s about 50 of them. It’s a lot of people. We all come together, six each. Nate probably had six men come to the press, and we six were waiting behind-the scenes. Then when we come out they’re like, ‘Go and sit down inside.’ But Khamzat was on his own so I was like, ‘Is he alright on his own?’ And I looked at Kevin and Kevin was on his own so everyone was on their own, I didn’t know where Nate was.
“We went to our side, they were at their side,” he continued. He continued, “They were all standing up so we stood up together with some of them. The security was following us around and saying, “Till, please, get down.” He said, “Till, please.” He said to me, “Sit down.” But when Khamzat arrives for the press conference we will all be standing. I want you to know that.’ He says fine.”
White spoke to media and mentioned that water bottles were flying. He also connected with Tiki Ghosn, a former fighter who was now a manager. Till was able to take photos and interact with fans, but he also kept an eye out for the Diaz as they went about their business.
” Then, I notice one of security running behindstage, and I wonder, “What’s the matter?” Till replied. Dana came out, and said that they were cancelling the press conference. So everybody stood in the MGM. Everyone was going home and doing whatever else. I couldn’t get to the entrance so me and Guram [Kutateladze], we jumped over the barrier. We ran through then Khamzat’s up on the other side. I didn’t see where Nate was but Nate’s guys who were meant to come in didn’t. Nate was like outside somewhere or something. Kevin didn’t appear to be there so I went into the back bay. That was all we’d seen so obviously there was something before that, I think.”
Till went on to explain having some feelings of regret being as away from Chimaev as he was during the heart of the incident. With ceremonial weigh-ins coming later today, he promises that the “Smesh Bros” won’t be separated in case any further shenanigans start up.
White also was asked about ceremonials. However, he assured that this would not happen again. Therefore, it’s safe to expect a rather distanced final Diaz UFC faceoff as he gets ready to finish out his contract.
“I think people on the outside just build it up a little more than it is,” Till said. “It just is what it is. 100 million percent [a big fight could have kicked off]. Alls I know is … Diaz’s team’s over there, like 57 of them, and we’re over there, 35 of us or something. I can tell you that most are fighters, and many of them are fighters. All this s*** like how I’m this, I’m that … Most of us come from the streets and most of them do. That’s what we’re used to doing. If we’re getting close, things are gonna get said. Someone’s gonna be looking at someone and say who’re you looking at? Then we’re all gonna fight. That’s what’s gonna happen.”
TOP STORIES
Madness. Dana White cancels UFC 279 pre-fight press conference after ‘s*** show’ breaks out backstage
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Goal. Michael Chandler still eyes Conor McGregor, but says it’s ‘foolish to hitch your wagon to that fight’
Boxing. Nate Diaz speaks out about potential Jake Paul fight. He says anyone counting Anderson Silva out is stupid ‘
Analysis. Paths to Victory: How Nate Diaz can pull off miracle upset at UFC 279
R.I.P. The death of Queen Elizabeth II Causes concern the combat sports community
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
Dana White discusses UFC 279 presser cancelation.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jose Youngs react to the UFC 279 Presser cancelation.
Holland and Rodriguez square off before UFC 279’s presser is canceled.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Daniel Rodriguez.
Pros predict UFC 279.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Britain Hart.
Embedded 4.
Ferguson’s crowning moment.
Camp Khamzat.
The story of Nate Diaz.
Bisping talks Chimaev vs. Diaz.
LISTEN UP
No Bets Barred. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss if Nate Diaz stands a chance against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what Tony Ferguson is fighting for at UFC 279.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
It’s hard to beat.
There’s not much that makes me happier than being outdoors with my dogs and my good friends pic.twitter.com/TQoM5o43vw
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) September 8, 2022
Jewelry.
My updated UFC belt plate is at home ! 7 rubies, 7 title defense
#UFCChampion pic.twitter.com/C6L7T954l3— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) September 8, 2022
Interesting flex.
Another One @UFCRosterWatch pic.twitter.com/FaAWZn1O9S
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 8, 2022
https://t.co/0Njg4fglSY pic.twitter.com/Zp6FgjUD5H
— PFL (@PFLMMA) September 8, 2022
I need to tell you guys! I signed with PFL for 2023! I want that 1 million!
I would like to thank the @ufc for everything! Thank you @danawhite
@mickmanyard
Thank you @PFLMMA for signing me! @petermurray @raysefo @Alexdavismma— Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) September 8, 2022
So, it’s still going on.
. @AdrianPeterson and @LeVeonBell face off! @socialgloves #McBroomGibhttps://t.co/UAkszVmYQI pic.twitter.com/U74JilIZEe
— FITE (@FiteTV) September 8, 2022
Unsettled.
he is still 47 with a lifetime of combat miles on him. Jake is 25 with power and has no wear & tear on him. It is not clear if Jake’s slickness can overcome his physicality during this fight. But I hope so.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 8, 2022
D’oh!
Sparring rounds hotter than TJ’s piss!
*#AndStill #Burn pic.twitter.com/xhJsqdnuRE— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 8, 2022
A full life of competition.
Anderson Silva debuted in MMA in 1997 while Jake Paul was born in 1997 pic.twitter.com/Cl9QeA6JnU
— Real Press MMA (@RealPressMMA) September 8, 2022
Storytime.
The story that led @TonyFergusonXT from bartending to becoming a legend of the fight game
[ #UFC279 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/rJY1WZoKAA ] pic.twitter.com/Iei4N9RuTC
— UFC (@ufc) September 8, 2022
Very generous.
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. You are at your service like the hotel staff. https://t.co/Hiwwm40fg7
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) September 9, 2022
Reactions to Yesterday’s Chaos.
Unprofessional. We literally fight in a cage and people still think they need to prove how tough they are. Relax y’all. https://t.co/gAQUW0wlDS
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) September 9, 2022
Where was Paulo costa during all this
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 9, 2022
Let me get this straight. Let me be clear. I can flip off a man and am the worst person ever to play the sport. I also have zero sportsmanship. A press conference with Mfers and Crickets. Lol MMA SOCIAL Media ain’t shit
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) September 9, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev’s newest Instagram story.
“I told them not to play with us. Kevin and Nate got what they deserved”
Looks like they are all separated now. pic.twitter.com/aBVmafxw1s
— Giorgi Kokiashvili (@iHeartGeorgius1) September 9, 2022
Tensions between Kevin Holland and Chimaev’s team continued in the lobby after the press conference, followed by a friendly cameo from Holland’s opponent Daniel Rodriguez.
via IG/chrisslowens pic.twitter.com/ilyL2DGY4n
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 9, 2022
Following the fracas at the cancelled press conference Nick and Nate Diaz are grabbing a coffee in Starbucks and continue preparing for the Khamzat Chimaev fight #UFC279 (via @CesarGracieBJJ) pic.twitter.com/g2jIexUeKk
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 9, 2022
I’m crying for this nice guy dressed the nice suit . The wolrd don’t deserve this man yet https://t.co/EtBqfLChhQ
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 9, 2022
nah #UFC279 pic.twitter.com/7iZbqUaery
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) September 9, 2022
Man The Leech was ready to go pic.twitter.com/8FmB40CkkB
— Heavyweight Thanos (@MMAThanos) September 8, 2022
It happens.
Leo Santos retired from MMA, but it looks like Charles Rosa thought that he had passed away? pic.twitter.com/lb8zQcvqwc
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) September 9, 2022
The GSPicks.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What a dramatic MMA! It’s Friday, thank goodness! Have a great weekend! Thank you for reading.
EXIT POLL
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