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UFC 202

Punishment on the way for McGregor and Diaz over press conference fracas

The opposing camps exchanged missiles at a press conference ahead of last month’s UFC 202 bout.

UFC ON FOX / YouTube

CONOR McGREGOR AND Nate Diaz both look set to be sanctioned as a result of a fracas involving their respective camps ahead of their meeting at UFC 202.

A press conference three days before their bout in Las Vegas last month — which McGregor won via majority decision — ended in controversial circumstances when the fighters, along with their team-mates and coaches, clashed at the David Copperfield Theatre at the MGM Grand.

After McGregor arrived late for the press conference, Diaz decided to depart early. Missiles, in the form of water bottles and energy drink cans, were then thrown by the opposing camps — an exchange which was initiated by Diaz and his team, who were escorted from the room by security.

The pair subsequently look set to face disciplinary action from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Brett Okamoto reports for ESPN. Individual complaints have been filed by the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, alleging that the behaviour of McGregor and Diaz was “detrimental to a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat.”

UFC 202 Mixed Martial Arts Diaz and McGregor put their differences to one side after the fight. Isaac Brekken Isaac Brekken

Both fighters could be hit with fines and/or suspensions as a result, with the next NSAC meeting due to take place on 29 September, although no date has been set for a disciplinary hearing as of yet.

UFC fighters have been punished for similar incidents in the past. In 2014, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were fined 10% of each of their fight purses after they were involved in a scuffle at a media event in the lobby of the MGM Grand ahead of their light-heavyweight title bout. Jones was also subjected to community service.

McGregor earned an unprecedented disclosed sum of $3million for his win at UFC 202, while Diaz — who had beaten the Irishman via second-round submission in their first encounter back in March — took home $2million.

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