UFC boss Dana White criticises Khamzat Chimaev's conduct

The UFC co-main event will feature Kayla Harrison defending her women's bantamweight title against returning hall-of-famer Amanda Nunes. American fighter Harrison is competing for the first time since undergoing neck and spinal surgery in January, while Brazil's Nunes is emerging from retirement after ending her career in 2023.

Nunes, a former bantamweight and featherweight champion, is widely considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history. The two athletes were once team-mates at American Top Team Gym before Nunes departed in 2022, and they engaged in a heated exchange during a news conference.

"Look in my eyes. If you don't respect that I can beat you on Saturday, you're not supposed to be a champion," Nunes stated. Harrison replied, "I respect everyone, but fear no-one," as the duo argued for nearly two minutes. White eventually had to lead Harrison away after they went face to face in an intense stare-down.

Earlier, White criticised fighters Usman Nurmagomedov and Merab Dvalishvili for their involvement in a mass brawl in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday that resulted in 10 arrests. Footage of the event appeared to show Russian fighter Nurmagomedov slapping Dvalishvili after approaching the Georgian from behind.

A fight subsequently broke out between the two men and members of their respective teams in a hotel lobby, with Abu Dhabi police confirming the arrests. White described the altercation as "ridiculous" and "stupid," and labelled the participants "a bunch of idiots."