06 April 2023 , 23:05
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Jorge Masvidal and Kevin Holland took further verbal shots at one another during a brief encounter at today's UFC 287 press conference following an hotel altercation this week.
The two welterweights are fighting different opponents on Saturday night in Miami, and UFC president Dana White was keen to keep the pair focused on their upcoming bouts when asked at tonight's press conference. But before media could be stopped from asking about the incident between the pair, Masvidal was able to take aim at Hollan.
Asked what had happened at the hotel to cause the run-in, Masvidal responded that it wasn't relevant, before White demanded that fighters be asked about their upcoming opponents Santiago Ponzinnibio and Gilbert Burns. The UFC boss also refused to answer in depth about the promotion's recent link up with WWE in what at times turned into a feisty media event.
"Absolutely nothing," Masvidal said when asked what the argument was about. "There's nothing to talk about then, that's just some d***-riding, clout chasing b****." Holland took the mic to respond, telling his rival "That's not what you were saying yesterday, bro. Watch your f***ing mouth. I called him baby girl and he got mad."
White was agitated by what he perceived to be an antagonistic line of questioning, asking Oscar Willis of The Mac Life "Come on, what's the question? These two aren't even fighting! Knock it off. Do you have a question about the guys that these guys are fighting or do you just want to start s*** in here?"
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Tensions were raised for the welterweight contenders when Masvidal bumped into fellow challenger Holland backstage at the fight-week media day. The pair screamed at each other from opposite sides of the lobby with Holland keen to meet Masvidal in the middle and argue with him.
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After going back-and-forth with one other for almost a minute, Masvidal was taken from the area along with members of his team into the media day venue while Holland stayed and was able to compose himself. The hometown fighter had been determined to get closer to his rival but found himself being restrained by two members of security.
Holland and Masvidal are both looking to snap losing streaks this weekend, with the pair tasting defeat in their last five collectively. The Miami native was comfortably beaten by Colby Covington in March of last year after two losses to Kamaru Usman, while the more active Holland was stopped by both Stephen Thompson and Khamzat Chimaev.
Atop the welterweight division, it appears that Covington will be booked to face champion Leon Edwards next, with a July date in London potentially on the cards. But it has been teased that a spectacular win for either Masvidal or Burns could see them jump into title contention.