Thursday, at the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference, things escalated in the blink of an eye when Conor McGregor knocked away Nate Diaz's outstretched fist.
McGregor did not take kindly to the proximity of said fist, swatted Diaz's hand away, and, of course, all hell broke loose.
Saturday can't come soon enough! #UFC196 https://t.co/sZjTF5UaPi
— #UFC196 (@ufc) March 3, 2016
Whether Diaz's fist did in fact graze McGregor's face—from the right angle (see below), it shows he clearly didn't make contact—McGregor clearly lashed out.
@JESnowden pic.twitter.com/BPdVEXQu1n
— YourNameHere.. (@baltim0re28) March 4, 2016
But did he lash out with a simple swat or slap? Or was McGregor's fist closed, making it a bona fide punch? It's a debate that's been raging in the MMA Twitterverse.
We don't have a definitive "smoking gun" video, GIF or image that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that McGregor did in fact closed-fist punch Diaz's hand.
Here's the best still shot we've been able to capture thus far:
Bleacher Report's own Jonathan Snowden took to his Twitter account to discuss the issue, smartly pointing out just how sensitive the human hand is—a big reason fighters are so protective of their hands, especially in boxing.
Now that the dust has settled can we talk about how reckless and unsportsmanlike Conor McGregor's punch was? The Commission has to step in.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 4, 2016
A light shove? A little schmoz? I'm all for it. Put that was a real punch that could have done fight ending damage. McGregor lost his way.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 4, 2016
There are 27 bones in the human hand. A professional prize fighter can do serious damage to many of them with one swipe. Not good.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 4, 2016
Most folks responded to Snowden by dismissing his frustration over the altercation.
@_DaiAdams @JESnowden Nate's hands are not made of glass. Making a big deal about nothing
— Dave Dave? (@teamdaves) March 4, 2016
Whether McGregor slapped or closed-fist punched Diaz's hand may be immaterial to some.
To others, it means the difference between whether or not the Nevada Athletic Commission should fine McGregor a percentage of his fight purse. Speaking of the NAC, it does not believe that there should be punishment handed down by it.
NAC executive director Bob Bennett told Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com that UFC president Dana White "handled the situation." Yeah, whatever that means.
(Video contains profanity)
Closer angle --> RT @danawhite: Conor Mcgregor vs Nate Diaz this Saturday #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/y8gbRNW2JM
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) March 3, 2016
So did the slap or punch hurt Diaz in any way?
We'll never know, as Diaz is not the type of person—and really, what fighter is?—to admit to a fresh wound. That would not only give McGregor some measure of satisfaction, but it would expose Diaz as being a wounded animal right before the fight.
But let's take a look at some photos that focused in on Diaz after the altercation:
@JESnowden Nate clearly hurt. Should Nate get a % of Conors purse? pic.twitter.com/kBVMztKov4
— Dai Adams (@_DaiAdams) March 4, 2016
We'll let you infer from the visual evidence if in fact Diaz was nicked up in any way. For what it's worth, Diaz's team told the aforementioned Helwani that Diaz did not injure his hand as a result of the incident.
If the wild scene at the press conference wasn't enough, McGregor and Diaz went on to do an interview on Fox Sports afterward. Let's just say the video doesn't come with a NSFW language warning without good reason. It's as must-see TV as it gets in this sport.
In reference to the altercation McGregor and Diaz had the following verbal exchange (transcription via MMAFighting.com):
"The man was afraid to look me dead in the eye," barked McGregor. "So he put a frame out in front of him and I quickly snatched it and broke his wrist."
"Yeah, you got a scared little [expletive] shot on the hand and [expletive]," stated Diaz.
"The medics are in with him now," McGregor fired back. "His wrist will never be the same. Like his bum knee, like his bum leg."
.@TheNotoriousMMA and @NateDiaz209 went OFF on each other during tonight's show! #UFC196 https://t.co/OrG66qMkgg
— FSLive: Jay & Dan (@FOXSportsLive) March 4, 2016
If you weren't hyped for the fight already, perhaps all this pre-fight brouhaha did it for you. That's what the UFC and the fighters are literally banking on.
