LAS VEGAS – Though it wasn’t deliberate this manner, solely two of the six fighters took their seats on the UFC 279 pre-fight press convention.
As UFC president Dana White described it, a “sh*t show” occurred before the event began. Regardless of the frenzy backstage, Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez have been cordial sufficient to return out, shake fingers and take their seats after a fast change in seating assignments.
Holland (23-7 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) compete in a short-notice 180-pound catchweight contest that may function the function bout on the primary card of the pay-per-view.
The fighters sat on both facet of White, and questions concerning the scenario backstage started pouring in earlier than they addressed the battle at hand.
“Sh*t present,” Holland mentioned with amusing when requested to elucidate what occurred backstage. With nobody on stage keen to disclose any particulars about what occurred behind the curtains, issues shifted to a dialogue concerning the variations in placing types and the fighters’ method to their bout.
“I’m a kung fu black belt, you bought any black belts?” Holland requested Rodriguez mid-response. “So, I feel it’s slightly higher in a pair totally different areas. That being mentioned, the person’s nonetheless harmful. I’ll be careful for it, so it’s going to be a enjoyable night time.”
It’s an thrilling matchup between two all-action fighters that was added to the card two weeks previous to the occasion, and landed within the function spot on the primary card. Rodriguez believes the addition of the matchup was finest for enterprise, and plans to create a battle that may steal the highlight of the occasion headlined by Nate Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
“I feel it’s going to be Combat of the Night time,” Rodriguez mentioned. “I really feel like we saved the cardboard, to be actual with you. … We don’t be in a f*cking kung fu battle, I do know that for positive. We gonna be in a battle, battle. So, I ain’t trippin’ on no kung fu black belt, something.”
“All people’s kung fu combating, I don’t know what the f*ck this dude’s speaking about,” Holland interrupted, giving a nod to Carl Douglas’ hit track. “All people’s kung fu combating.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 279.
