All the highlights from the UFC 229: Khabib vs McGregor pre-fight press conference
Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipThe pre-fight press conference for UFC 229: Khabib vs McGregor was one of the most bizarre in recent memory, but it still offered some moments of pure entertainment – as the highlight video shows.
For the unaware, the pre-fight presser was expected to be a classic war of words between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov but that particular confrontation never materialized due to Khabib leaving early and Conor arriving late.
“Hey, I no need to wait for nobody, this is 3pm,” Nurmagomedov stated after Dana White revealed that the Russian would not be waiting for Conor to turn up. “Friends are here, media is here, everybody is here.”
Khabib would go on to reveal that the fight is a personal one for him, saying: “He will have to kill me to stop me,” and explaining that he thinks his wrestling and pressure will be too much to handle.
Eventually the 30-year-old, who has a perfect 26-0 record and is the current Lightweight champion, stated: “15 minutes I am here, this guy didn’t come. This is big disrespect,” before walking out of the arena.
Shortly after, McGregor took to the stage and immediately started to say that the only reason for Khabib’s departure was that he was too scared to face him.
“He doesn’t wanna be around me, he doesn’t wanna be around these people. He is petrified,” the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion stated. “I also don’t give a bollocks. I’ve experienced it all!”
McGregor went on to say that he has returned because this is what he loves and that there will “never be peace” between hm and his opponent.
This isn’t the first time that the Irishman has turned up to a press conference after the allotted start time. In fact, it is largely par for the course and it would appear that his opponent was not willing to play the game, opting to leave before he even showed up.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The two fighters will step on stage once again on October 5 for the ceremonial weigh-ins and face-off. Having missed out on the chance to hurl abuse at each other on Thursday, expect both men to being their A game.
The fight for the lightweight belt will take place on October 6 in Las Vegas.