The final press conference for Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 turned chaotic when a brawl erupted as Diaz, who had been unusually aggressive, stormed off the stage, leading to a melee involving both fighters’ camps.
Things turned chaotic at the final press conference for Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal 2.
The UFC veterans are set to face each other in a 10-round, 175-pound boxing match on July 6 in Anaheim, Calif. The first couple of press conferences were relatively uneventful. But when the rivals met on Thursday for the final event during the media tour, all hell broke loose. A brawl erupted as Diaz was leaving the press conference.
This event was more tense than usual. Diaz, who has largely been uninterested in engaging for most of these events, was more aggressive than usual. Diaz and Masvidal got into several back-and-forth arguments about their MMA careers, grappling, and their previous fight. Then, Diaz went off on the entire presser.
“Not this fcking press conference,” Diaz said when asked what he cares about. “I’m sick of sitting here, I’m sick of looking at all these motherfckers, I’m sick of looking at you, too!” He directed this at emcee Brian Campbell. “I’m sick of this whole shit. I’m done with this whole press conference shit. I’m glad we’re here to promote these great fights that are happening. That’s cool as f*ck. But besides that, I think my work here is done. I’m done doing all this shit. No more press conferences until my next fight.”
“Fck this ugly motherfcker,” Diaz said to Masvidal. “Man, I hate to disrespect you, but I’m sick of seeing you, too,” he added to Campbell. “I’m out. I’m good. See everybody. Peace out.”
Diaz then stood up to leave the presser. Producers frantically asked him to square off with Masvidal one more time. Stockton’s finest came to the front of the stage, posed, and then grabbed a microphone to say, “Square off with yourself, motherf*cker!”
Masvidal came around the stage as the fighters continued jawing at each other. Diaz finally turned to walk away.
After Diaz exited, the crowd in front of Masvidal remained. That’s when the brawl broke out.
Masvidal got shoved during the melee as the mayhem erupted. He eventually stepped out of the fray. While it was tough to see exactly what happened after that initial altercation, it appeared at least some members from the fighters’ camps were involved in the brawl.
The action went on for some time. Ultimately, security was able to restore order.
Diaz and Masvidal face off on July 6 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.