UFC 279 was quite an event. The card featured the last bout of infamous brawler Nate Diaz and his equally notorious entourage. To boot the same card featured Gourmet Chechen Khamzat Chimaev along with resident Batman Kevin Holland.
Naturally the whole thing was a recipe for a disaster. And even had the press conference get cancelled over a brawl backstage – an unprecedented event in the 2 decades long UFC history.
According to reports Chimaev confronted Kevin Holland who made a provocative video about him, saying that he will shave Chimaev’s beard. Chimaev confronted him and someone got kicked in the chest. Holland claimed he kicked Chiamev and that’s what upset his weight cut.
Famous podcaster and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan had no qualms about what his role would be if an altercation were to take place on the stage during ceremonial face offs.
As a UFC commentator, Joe Rogan often serves as the announcer for ceremonial weigh in sessions. The 55-year-old frequently appears on stage while athletes are staring each other down. Rogan would be standing there in the background, happily doing his job.
However, when he was talking about UFC 279 main event, Rogan said he wouldn’t want to get involved.
Famous podcaster Lex Fridman recently uploaded a video asking Rogan who is the most intense athlete when it comes to staredown.
“Oh yeah, he [Nate Diaz] is going to get intense. That’s going to be a good one. I don’t know how they’re going to separate him from Khamzat or him from everyone else.” Rogan said.
Fridman also asked if the staredown was going to be crazy and what Rogan would do if Nate Diaz got into an altercation with Khamzat Chimaev.
“It could get crazy. I’m going to get the f*ck out of here. If sh*t gets wild, I’m not getting into this scrap. You are going to watch me looking like a little coward.” Rogan said.
When it came down to it UFC 279 ceremonial staredowns were uneventful and somewhat subdued compared to action packed media week.
UFC has been providing ample security in the cases where it features athletes who have personal animosity amongst each other. One of the bigger problems was an incident featuring Drakkar Close resulting in him getting a neck injury and being sidelined for several years.