Nasir Jabbar
Nate Diaz almost started a riot backstage at the UFC 310 weigh-ins after launching a missile at Islam Makhachev.
Before Friday's UFC 310 ceremonial weigh-ins, UFC lightweight champion Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov took part in a pre-fight press conference ahead of next month's UFC 311.
Makhachev defends his 155lbs crown against No.1 contender Tsarukyan in a repeat of their 2019 clash while Dvalishvili puts his belt on the line against Nurmagomedov - cousin of MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
After the presser wrapped up, Diaz, who was backstage with UFC 310 fighter Kron Gracie, clashed with Makhachev as security were forced to intervene.
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A video shows the 39-year-old throwing a water bottle at Team Makhachev, with a member of the Russian's camp returning fire - launching a water bottle in retaliation.
Tension escalated as security were on hand to defuse the situation as Diaz walked away from the scene.
Diaz, who hasn't fought in the UFC since his submission victory over Tony Ferguson back in September 2022, will corner Gracie, who makes his first Octagon appearance since May 2023.
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The Stockton slugger walked away from the MMA promotion to pursue a career in boxing, where he fought Jake Paul and Jorge Masvidal in the ring.
As for Makhachev, he's set to return to action on January 18 when he faces Tsarukyan in the main-event of the Los Angeles card.
At the pre-fight presser, the UFC lightweight king said: "If you watch the rankings, Arman is the No. 1 contender All my life, I told people I want to fight with the real contender who deserves high-level fights. He deserves [it], we will fight."
Makhachev has reeled off 14 consecutive wins since his lone UFC defeat to Adriano Martins, capturing the UFC lightweight championship in the process.
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He boasts victories over the likes of Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.
Tsarukyan, on the other hand, enters his first UFC title fight having won four fights in a row, including a big win over Oliveira at UFC 300.