“I Told Khamzat, ‘Not Today'”

UFC welterweight Li Jingliang describes the scene backstage on the UFC 279 press convention that pressured the occasion to be canceled.

Throughout the UFC 279 battle week, the UFC made an unprecedented name and canceled the pre-fight press convention. An altercation broke out between Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland backstage, however this rapidly became one thing larger as Nate Diaz and his crew received concerned with folks from all sides taking part in a component within the chaos.

One man who wasn’t concerned was Li Jingliang. ‘The Leech,’ who was dressed to the 9 for the event, was instructed as he was resulting from stroll on stage that the occasion had been canceled. Jingliang was nonetheless resulting from battle Tony Ferguson at this level earlier than the highest three fights on the cardboard have been all shifted.

Li Jingliang reveals backstage particulars

When the incident occurred, there have been many questions surrounding what truly passed off and with there being little footage, there nonetheless is a few confusion.

When speaking to Ariel Helwani, Jingliang revealed what truly occurred, having a entrance row seat.

“We have been there and there have been three pairs of fighters for the press convention, so Kevin Holland, ‘D-Rod’, me, Tony [Ferguson], Khamzat and Nate,” stated Li Jingliang “We pink nook have been on this aspect, so once we have been ready for the press convention, we made a line. So Holland is the primary, I’m the second and when Khamzat got here in, in my eyes, he was making an attempt to say good day to us. So he stated good day to me after which went to Kevin, and in my eyes he was making an attempt to say good day to Kevin. However I don’t know why, perhaps Kevin felt he was just a little bit aggressive, after which he simply pushed him — Kevin pushed Khamzat.

“After which Khamzat simply went backwards and got here again with a kick at Holland, and so then they threw punches and kicks to one another,” Jingliang continued. “So everyone was shocked. After which I simply grabbed Khamzat, I held Khamzat and I separated them and I instructed Khamzat, ‘Not immediately. Not immediately, bro. Not immediately.’ So it’s full chaos there. Then everyone comes — the securities, even [UFC president] Dana [White]. We simply separated these two, however they have been nonetheless shouting at one another.”

“Dana went on the stage they usually modified the plan, in order that they let Kevin and ‘D-Rod’ get onto the stage first to separate everyone,” stated ‘The Leech’. “So they’ll do the press convention first after which the opposite two after which the opposite two. However whereas Kevin and ‘D-Rod’ have been on the stage, we have been ready within the backstage, Nate got here together with his crew.

“I can’t bear in mind how many individuals, perhaps 10 or extra. After which he simply shout one thing to Khamzat, after which I noticed a water bottle thrown by Nate to Khamzat. And Khamzat dodged the bottle. Nate introduced lots of people to the press convention. So, after I was able to get on the stage, they simply instructed me, ‘Okay, we’re cancelling the entire occasion’.” (H/T BloodyElbow)

The Nevada State Athletic fee just lately introduced that they’d be investigating the incident with punishments doubtlessly following.

What did you consider Li Jingliang’s efficiency?