MMA Twitter has a meltdown after UFC 279 press conference canceled
MMA Twitter has a meltdown after UFC 279 press conference canceled
The UFC 279 pre-fight press conference was abruptly canceled earlier this evening.
MMA Twitter erupted in chaos immediately following the cancellation, as Dana White decided to cancel the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference after backstage altercations broke out backstage that involved several fighters.
With a crowd that was already getting angsty following a delayed start to the press conference, White added to the disappointment as he announced that fighters would be coming out in pairs, rather than all the fighters at once. Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez took questions for only a couple of minutes and then left the stage.
After White signaled to bring the next pair of fighters on stage, there seemed to be continued trouble brewing backstage. It was at this point that White announced that they were going to cancel the press conference altogether, apologizing to the fans in attendance.
Here’s how UFC fighters and MMA Media were reacting to the chaos on Twitter
I’ve never cared about Mma news like I do right now. I need to know what happened backstage. Where is the videos? #ufc279
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) September 9, 2022
What a lame press conference #UFC279
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) September 8, 2022
Awaiting to see what happened @ufc backstage like: pic.twitter.com/KaLguFIfmt
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) September 8, 2022
Paulo showed up and fucked everyone up I guess
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) September 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1568037127572815872?s=20&t=UC0VOTRAKAgXHI8Wu7opZw
Dana confirmed an initial report from @arielhelwani that Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland were involved in an altercation and things went downhill from there.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 9, 2022
I was backstage for it and it was intense.
RIP pic.twitter.com/KmGBze2Qs5
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 9, 2022
Can’t wait for the footage to leak because I’m hearing it was absolute chaos
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) September 9, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland, both allegedly involved in the altercations, also went to Twitter to discuss what happened backstage.
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. At your service just like the hotel staff bro. https://t.co/Hiwwm40fg7
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) September 9, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev just uploaded this to his Instagram story.
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) September 9, 2022
Any Russians able to translate?#UFC279 pic.twitter.com/Xm8pdXbstR
This certainly adds another interesting element to a UFC 279 that featured a fascinating main card. Fans will certainly now have yet another reason to tune in to Saturday’s main event.
Next. UFC 279: Here’s what happened with Khamzat Chimaev, Kevin Holland, Nate Diaz backstage (Video). dark