Dana White cancels press conference after backstage chaos

UFC president Dana White. David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Dana White cancels UFC 279 press conference after fight breaks out backstage

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Sep 8, 2022 9:55 PM ET

The already highly anticipated UFC 279 card just got a little more interesting.

On Thursday night, president Dana White canceled the UFC 279 press conference after a fight broke out between several fighters backstage.

Initially, according to White, Kevin Holland and Nate Diaz's opponent for UFC 279, Khamzat Chimaev, were first engaged in a physical altercation. The scuffle led to Diaz and his team getting involved before things flew off the rails.

"There were multiple things going on back here at the same time," White told reporters after the incident. "Once it all started erupting, it was a complete sh-- show."

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White explained that there wasn't enough security to handle a rumble between four UFC fighters but vowed changes would be made.

"This is a first, and I guarantee you this will be a last," White said.

The UFC 279 card, set for Saturday, is headlined by Diaz vs. Chimaev in what could be the final fight of Diaz's career.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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