During a press conference for the highly anticipated boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, chaos ensued when a massive brawl broke out between their respective teams. The event, held on June 6 in Anaheim, California, quickly turned violent after Diaz abruptly left the stage before the faceoffs.
Originally scheduled for June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, the fight was rescheduled to July 6 at Anaheim’s Honda Center. The tension at the press conference was palpable, with Diaz expressing his frustration before storming off. “I’m done with this whole press conference s**t,” Diaz said, as reported by ESPN. “I’m glad we’re here promoting these great fights that are happening, but, besides that, my work here is done.”
Organizers attempted to bring Diaz back for a faceoff with Masvidal. Although Diaz briefly returned to pose for the cameras, he left again before any direct interaction with Masvidal. This brief exchange of words between the fighters led to a full-blown brawl, with members of both teams rushing the stage.
The chaos was captured on video, with footage showing Jorge Masvidal dragging a member of Diaz’s team by his dreadlocks after a fistfight erupted with Diaz’s boxing coach, Jorge Capetillo. The video quickly went viral, adding to the already intense hype surrounding the fight.
The melee was a significant promotional boost for the bout, with many fans and commentators noting how the unexpected violence added excitement. “This fight needed this,” said one fan on social media, referencing the intense betting odds favoring Masvidal at -280 compared to Diaz at +220. Despite the odds, 85% of early bettors are backing Diaz.
The brawl at the press conference underscores the intense rivalry between Diaz and Masvidal, both of whom are known for their fierce competitiveness and fiery personalities. The July 6 fight promises to be a highly charged event, with fans eagerly anticipating the showdown between these two UFC stars.
The incident also highlights the sometimes chaotic nature of fight promotions, where emotions can run high and unexpected altercations can steal the spotlight. As the countdown to the fight continues, both teams will need to ensure that such scenes do not overshadow the main event itself.
