Nate Diaz caused a stir on Wednesday during a press conference for his upcoming bout with Conor McGregor at UFC 196 on March 5, claiming "everybody" inside the organisation, including McGregor, is on steroids.
As shared by MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani, the Irishman quickly distanced himself from those allegations and reminded Diaz of Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields, two of the American's team-mates who have tested positive for steroids:
Diaz: You’re on steroids. McGregor: Sure, I am. I’m just an animal.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
Diaz: “everybody’s on steroids, the whole UFC. everybody.” McGregor brings up Gil and Shields’ past.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
Diaz: They are all on steroids. McGregor: Don’t put my name with steroids. I’m against that.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2016
Wednesday's press conference was the first time the two fighters engaged in verbal warfare ahead of their upcoming bout, and neither held back. Per UFC Europe, McGregor hit back as hard as he could (warning: language is NSFW):
Here we go!!! Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz trading bombs at the #UFC196 presser on https://t.co/ja99IBJNVL https://t.co/pGwH6d0ya7
— #UFCLondon (@UFCEurope) February 24, 2016
Diaz's allegations were serious and aimed especially at McGregor, and it will only add even more fuel to what should already be an explosive battle inside the Octagon.
