Check out TMZ’s newly released footage of Conor McGregor confronting Jake Shields and Nick Diaz telling his younger brother to prepare for a brawl at the UFC 196 press conference.
More backstage footage has emerged from the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference yesterday and there’s a lot that wasn’t originally shown.
Prior to the staredown between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, which saw the Irishman punch Diaz’ hand from his face, McGregor confronted Jake Shields and Nick Diaz told his younger brother to prepare for battle.
“‘The f–k you lookin’ at?”, McGregor told one of Diaz’ teammates. “I’d strangle you in a heart beat. And you (Jake Shields) as well, you little juice head.” The Cesar Gracie BJJ black belt responded by saying he’d “slap the sh-t” out of McGregor, but “The Notorious” brushed his comments aside.
“If he even touches you, then it’s on,” Nick Diaz then said to Nate.
The “Skrap Pack” crew and members from SBG Ireland immediately stormed the stage after the staredown and things almost escalated into an all-out brawl. McGregor made a joke of the incident after bragging about breaking Diaz’ wrist during the confrontation and said he was afraid to look him in the eye.
McGregor was originally scheduled to challenge Rafael dos Anjos for the lightweight title but Diaz was selected as a late-replacement after the Brazilian pulled out with a broken foot.
Conor McGregor will take on Nate Diaz in a welterweight clash for the main event of UFC 196 on March 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.