When it comes to intense rivalries in UFC history, few moments were as wild—and as disrespectful—as the press conference for UFC 229. This wasn’t just any media event. This was Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov, two of the biggest names in MMA, about to go head-to-head in what would become the most-watched UFC fight ever. But before the cage even closed, things got ugly—fast.
And it all started when Khabib walked out before Conor even showed up.
The Press Conference That Shocked Everyone
It was September 2018. The UFC set up a press conference in New York City to promote the upcoming mega-fight. Fans were expecting trash talk, face-offs, and fireworks. But no one expected Khabib to leave the room before McGregor even entered.
Here’s how it went down.
Khabib arrived on time, calm and serious as always. He answered questions from the media, gave straight-faced responses, and didn’t bother with jokes or fake drama. But as the minutes went by… Conor still hadn’t shown up.
After waiting for about 20 minutes, Khabib had enough. He stood up, told the UFC staff he wasn’t going to sit around all day, and walked out. Just like that. No waiting for Conor. No fake smiles for the cameras. He just left.
And then, of course, Conor walked in—fashionably late, holding a bottle of his own whiskey and grinning like he owned the building.
A One-Sided Show Begins
When Conor finally sat down at the press table, Khabib was already gone. But that didn’t stop Conor from going off. He launched into one of the wildest rants in UFC press conference history. He shouted insults, made personal jabs, slammed Khabib’s team, and even went after Khabib’s father and religion.
It was intense. And honestly? Many fans felt it went too far.
Usually, trash talk is just part of the game. Fighters use words to build hype. But this time, it felt different. It felt personal. Too personal.
And that made the rivalry even more dangerous.
Why Khabib Walked Out
Khabib isn’t the kind of guy who plays games. He doesn’t do drama. He doesn’t care about the spotlight. So when McGregor showed up late—something he often does to take control of the room—Khabib wasn’t having it.
He said later in interviews that he respected the UFC and the fans, but he wasn’t going to sit around waiting while Conor made it all about himself.
Khabib’s message was clear: “I came to fight, not to play circus.”
What This Meant for UFC 229
This press conference wasn’t just awkward—it was a preview of what was coming.
By the time fight night arrived, the tension had boiled over. Fans were buzzing. Security was tight. Everyone knew this fight wasn’t just about the UFC belt anymore—it was personal war.
When the cage door closed at UFC 229, Khabib dominated Conor on the ground and submitted him in Round 4. But even after the fight ended, chaos continued. Khabib leaped over the cage and charged into the crowd toward Conor’s team. A full-blown brawl broke out.
It was one of the wildest nights in UFC history—and it all started with that disrespectful press conference.
Why This Press Conference Still Matters
Years later, fans still talk about it. Why?
Because it showed how personal the fight had become. This wasn’t about rankings. This was about respect. And Khabib wasn’t going to let anyone—not even a superstar like Conor McGregor—walk all over him.
His walkout wasn’t just about being late. It was a message. A silent, powerful message:
“You can talk all you want—but when the cage door shuts, I’ll show you who’s boss.”
And he did.
Final Thoughts
The UFC 229 press conference is still remembered as one of the most disrespectful, chaotic moments in MMA history. But it also showed us the true personalities of two of the sport’s biggest names.
- Conor, the showman who uses words like weapons.
- Khabib, the warrior who lets his actions speak loudest.
No matter who you were rooting for, one thing’s for sure:
UFC 229 wasn’t just a fight—it was a turning point in MMA history.
Which moment shocked you the most during that press conference?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this with your fight-loving friends.
More stories like this are coming soon, so stay tuned.
