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The UFC's main point of attraction is its fights. Fans across the globe tune in to watch their favorite fighters cross swords inside the octagon in a bid to determine the greatest mixed martial artists in their division. While the bouts themselves are the focal point, the buildup preceding these matchups is also of great importance.
With the dawn of pay-per-view juggernauts like Conor McGregor, pre-fight press conferences and media scrums have quickly become must-watch events. Today’s fight fans are eager to see opposing fighters matching wits and engaging in heated trash talk, especially if the two foes are engulfed in a rivalry.
Such was the magic behind the pre-fight press conference for UFC 229, involving mortal enemies Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. While UFC President Dana White branded the press conference as the darkest one he's ever seen, other media events have outshined it in terms of pure chaos.
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Certain media events have yielded insane moments that now live in UFC infamy. This list compiles 5 such insane moments.
#5. Jon Jones and Anthony Johnson at the UFC 187 pre-fight press conference
Back in 2015, Jon Jones sat at the peak of the MMA mountain. The shame of a positive cocaine test prior to his bout against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 was overshadowed by his dominant win over his divisional rival. Not only had 'Bones' extended his streak of title defenses, but he became the first person to defeat 'DC'.
Months later, the then 205 lbs champion was booked to face Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson in a matchup scheduled to headline UFC 187. At the pre-fight conference for the event, 'Bones' and 'Rumble' decided to prank Dana White during their face-off in a manner that mirrored Jon Jones' past pre-fight brawl with Daniel Cormier.
'Bones' pressed his forehead against Anthony Johnson's, prompting the power-punching contender to shove his foe away. Dana White immediately stepped in between the two fighters, only for them to burst out into laughter and reveal that it was merely a prank.
#4. Conor McGregor snatching José Aldo's championship belt at the UFC 189 world tour press conference
Prior to Conor McGregor's emergence, José Aldo was accustomed to a certain level of respect and reverance from his foes. After being initially scheduled to face the Irishman at UFC 189 before a rib injury derailed Dana White's plans, the Brazilian legend was faced with a storm of trash talk.
'The Notorious' constantly needled at 'Scarface'. As the two men embarked on a world tour to promote their then upcoming bout with a series of press conferences across the globe, the Irishman's antics peaked after they arrived in his hometown of Dublin. There, the future double champion roused the crowd.
During a heated exchange, the Irishman placed his feet on the table. Once José Aldo did the same, Conor McGregor rushed towards him and snatched his featherweight title to a thunderous ovation from the Irish faithful. With his Brazilian foe incensed, a brawl nearly broke out. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.
#3. Water bottle melee at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference
Conor McGregor is known for his rivalries. Whether it is Khabib Nurmagomedov or Dustin Poirier, 'The Notorious' has taken aim at several different fighters throughout his career. At a pre-fight press conference for his rematch with another rival, Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor took aim at him with water bottles.
After the Irishman's late arrival at the press conference, Stockton's finest later took his leave. As he neared the exit, Nate Diaz's team threw a water bottle at 'The Notorious'. This prompted a fiery reaction from Conor McGregor, who threw every water bottle and Monster Energy can in his vicinity back at them.
The brief melee led to the immediate cancelation of the press conference, with Dana White ordering the Irishman to leave the premises.
#2. Kevin Lee and Michael Chiesa scuffle at the UFC Summer Kickoff press conference
Kevin Lee and Michael Chiesa are in different spots in their careers. The man who was once heralded as a future world champion is currently signed to Eagle FC. The change came after an unsuccessful stretch of one win and four losses in his final five UFC fights. Meanwhile, Michael Chiesa is on a two-fight losing streak as a UFC welterweight.
Back in 2017, however, the two men were surging lightweights. 'The Motown Phenom' was on a four-fight win streak, while 'Maverick' had three consecutive victories to his name. After they were booked into a matchup to determine a future title contender, they took part in the UFC Summer Kickoff press conference.
In his attempts at promotion, Kevin Lee took aim at 'Maverick' with a new brand of trash talk that bore strong similarities to Conor McGregor. However, a comment about Michael Chiesa's mother buying tickets infuriated the Coloradan, prompting him to charge across the stage towards his foe.
Alas, he was intercepted by a punch from the Michigan native, and security quickly intervened before more chaos engulfed the press conference. The first sparks of a brawl were seen, but it didn't escalate beyond that as Michael Chiesa was carried off stage by security.
#1. Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier brawl at a pre-UFC 178 media event
While Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were scheduled to cross swords at UFC 182, the promotional efforts for their bout were in full swing as far back as the pre-UFC 178 media events. During one such media day, 'Bones' and his divisional rival made the rounds by taking part in interviews about their scheduled matchup.
The day was meant to culminate in faceoffs designed to produce photo-ops to generate further hype for the fight. However, when the light heavyweight great stepped onto the stage for his staredown with 'DC', tempers flared. Jon Jones pressed his forehead against his foe, causing 'DC' to shove him away.
Sparing no other thoughts, 'Bones' tossed his title aside and charged forward. While ex-UFC head of public relations Dave Sholler tried to intervene, the then 205 lbs champion simply shoved him aside and aimed a left hand at Daniel Cormier. In the ensuing chaos, 'DC' fell backwards as his rival pursued him.
Security rushed to the scene but the brawl left the UFC banner and stage decorations destroyed. In one of the final moments of the melee, 'DC' threw a shoe meant to hit 'Bones' but instead struck a media member before he was dragged away, leaving Jon Jones alone to roar in apparent victory.
