UFC 196 Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz: Tensions boil over as scuffle breaks out during staredown after insults

McGregor took a swipe at Diaz after having a first pushed into his face, forcing UFC president Dana White to separate the two

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz are separated by UFC president Dana White (Twitter/@UFC)

The tension between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz nearly spilt over when the two were involved in a scuffle at the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference.

The trouble started after a tension-filled 45-minutes where both fighters joined co-main event stars Holly Holm and Miesha Tate to field questions from the members of the media in attendance.

After trading several insults back and forth over a variety of subjects, McGregor and Diaz were squared up for a toe-to-toe staredown and it all kicked off when Diaz placed his fist in the face of McGregor. The Irishman simply wasn't having it and despite Dana White's attempts to keep the two apart, McGregor slapped away Diaz's hand at which point all hell broke loose.

As members of both entourages rushed onto the stage to join the confrontation, multiple security guards quickly got between the two and thankfully avoided any further blows being traded. The scene ended with McGregor being taken out one door and Diaz the other.

The incident followed a press conference where McGregor and Diaz were constantly trading insults back and forth.

The two first flared up when McGregor took a pop at Diaz for needing the extra weight and said that Diaz demanded the fight take place at 170lbs. Diaz wasn't impressed with McGregor's claim and replied: “The first day we talked I said yes to 155lbs."

McGregor then turned to Dana White and asked him to confirm whether this was true. The UFC president laughed off the question and chose to neither confirm nor deny McGregor's accusation.

Of course, McGregor wouldn't let the issue lie there and he made sure he got the final word exclaiming: “You call no shots, Nate. You call absolutely nothing.”

The topic of conversation then turned to money and McGregor wasn't going to let the opportunity pass to remind everyone on just how valuable he is to the UFC:

“In 21 years or something since the company has started, 2015 was its biggest year. That’s down to me. He’s going to make his first million here and he really should be thankful and grateful for this opportunity I’ve given to him.”

Diaz interrupted him and said: “You should be thankful. You got a bigger cheque because of me.”

McGregor wasn't having any of it though, and he quickly let the American know his place stating: “Don’t talk about money, Nate; you’re broke.”

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz face off on Saturday night at UFC 196 (Getty Images)

McGregor was then asked whether he would prefer a quick knockout or a longer fight to showcase his wider skills. Surprisingly, McGregor was in preference to latter and he challenged Diaz to last longer than his previous opponents:

"Skillwise I made a massive jump from the Mendes performance to the Aldo performance technical wise and for this fight also.

"But, the fight was over so quick I didn't get to show that so part of me wants to stretch it out that little bit and show the fans some new sequences and some new moves of attack and defence.

"I just hope Nate can last, he's tough and never been KO'd but he's been TKO'd. I'm hoping he can last late into the first round and early second but I ain't holding my breath because when I come out fast, spinning and attacking and crazy, unpredictable, they become panic grapplers and that's what I face all the time."

He added finally: "I just hope for the fans sake that Nate shows up and that's all I got to say about that."

Despite facing Diaz on Saturday night, media attention has already turned towards UFC 200 and who McGregor could potentially fight there. The Irishman has been typically bullish and hasn't been shy letting everyone know that he could request a fight with the welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. Speaking today, Dana White said it would be hard to turn down McGregor's request:

“I’m open to whatever he’s considering doing. If he wants to fight at 170 and he wants to fight Robbie Lawler, Conor is tough to deny these days.

"Nobody’s ever done this – 145 pounds going to 170 – and it’s one of those things when you talk about these guys, and the money’s in the bank and all the things are going on, they have all this opportunity."

He added: "Conor really does step up and fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. It’s impressive, it’s fun and this is what makes you love the fight business.”

One of the more humourous parts of the press conference came when McGregor was asked what his dream fight would be. McGregor answered in typical fashion:

"The dream fight .. you know, there isn't really. I just ... I'd love to fight myself if I really could - imagine the numbers that one would do if there were two of me."

Following that proclamation, the two traded a few further insults and it was then time for the staredowns where chaos ensued.

McGregor and Diaz will meet again one final time tomorrow at the weigh-ins before finally getting into the Octagon on Saturday night to settle their differences.