Israel Adesanya sported a dog collar, Alex Pereira a purple suit and Dana White … well, the UFC president seemingly wore a scowl every time another journalist opened their mouth.
Welcome to Miami, baby.
In a bizarre final outing before Sunday’s blockbuster UFC 287 card, Adesanya said he was ready to be “unleashed” against the Brazilian arch rival who has now beaten him three times.
Hence, apparently, that dog collar around his neck.
Soon after, the UFC megastar also branded his middleweight title fight against Pereira – who took his title last November, and beat him twice in kickboxing before that — as his “8 Mile moment”.
You know, one shot and all that.
Which is why this one, for the challenger, has nothing to do with Pay-Per-View points, Hall of Fame legacy, even that UFC gold strap.
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“F… the belt,” Adesanya snarled. “I’m coming for his head”.
Which, coincidentally, was something like the same approach UFC boss White took with journalists throughout all 30 minutes of this one.
No matter whether somebody was asking about the WWE merger, hotel skirmishes, or who undercard fighter Kevin Holland would hit with a steel chair, White was continually impressed.
But more on that shortly.
For the UFC president, he wanted us hacks talking fights.
And to be fair, there is plenty to like.
Take the co-main between Jorge Masvidal — the undisputed ‘King of Miami’ — and Brazilian Gilbert Burns.
A fella who, coincidentally, has also lived in the city for some 10 years.
A point he tried explaining to the crowd as, overwhelmingly, and continually, they booed him.
Should Masvidal lose, he has hinted at retirement.
But win?
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Well, no matter which man does that, there’s whispered potential for a welterweight title shot against champion Leon Edwards.
Asked what he had coming for the fight, Masvidal said in Spanish: “A lot of violence.
“For all the people who understand me, this is for you.
“This is for my city. This is for the people who are here.
“It’s all for you.
“Violence all the way.”
Cue chaos.
Same deal later, when the King also suggested punters should “put the house” on him.
“Let’s clean out Las Vegas one more time everybody,” he grinned. “All the goons know what I’m talking about. Let’s go.”
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When it came to the main eventers, however, it was a largely subdued encounter except for one particular exchange with around 20 minutes gone.
“This fight is my 8 Mile moment,” Adesanya started. “One more shot at this.
“And I’ve put everything on my back.
“Done everything in my power to make sure I do the worst thing to this man at the weekend.
“I’m done with this talking s…
“You want to hear my talk or hear me fight?”
At which point, Pereira interjected, albeit via interpreter: “Who did this the past three fights? He said the same things …”
“Doesn’t matter,” The Last Stylebender shot back.
“He doesn’t even understand what I said. And I don’t understand what he said.
“What’s gunna happen is, this weekend we’re going to fight and see who the best man is at the end.”
To which the champ says what?
“He makes me laugh,” came the reply.
But White?
No, he wasn’t laughing.
Asked early on about the UFC and WWE becoming stablemates, the UFC boss said it wasn’t the time to talk business but instead a stacked card.
Soon after however, it was on again when a journalist asked Masvidal about a supposed hotel run in between himself and Holland only a day earlier.
So what was that about?
“Absolutely nothing,” Masvidal replied.
“You know, there’s nothing to talk about there. He’s just some dick riding, clout chasing b***h.”
Yet Holland, he remembered it differently.
“Nah, that’s not what you was saying yesterday bro,” he replied. “Watch your f…ing mouth.”
To which the journo started again: “Kevin, I’m curious, what is the issue there …”
At which point, White had heard enough.
“Wait, what’s the question? C’mon, guys these two aren’t fighting,” he fired. “Knock it off.
“Do you have a question about the fights and who these guys are fighting? Or do you just want to start s… in here?
“What’s your question?”
And so proceedings moved on.
Yet later, another journalist tried again.
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This time asking Santiago Ponzinibbio – who fights Holland — if maybe the hotel altercation suggested his rival was unfocused or looking past him?
“Don’t even answer that question,” White shouted.
Just as the UFC president also bagged a question put to Holland about which wrestler, fighter, whoever he would most like to thwack in the skull with a steel chair.
“No comment,” Holland replied. “I’m trying not to get in trouble”.
To which, up at the podium, White turned and thanked his fighter.
Then: “Any other stupid questions?”
