Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, the UFC light heavyweight champion and one of his top challengers, respectively, got an early start on their Sept. 27 title match by brawling during a news conference Monday at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel.
The scuffle happened during a photo op stare down between the two fighters, when the taller Jones leaned
his head over and touched Cormier's, according to ESPN.com. Cormier then shoved Jones backwards and the impromptu fight ensued, knocking down the fight's backdrop in the process as hordes of security officials attempted to separate the two men.
The two UFC fighters continued to taunt each other on social media after the incident.
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"This is certainly not a proud moment for the UFC organization,"
Kirk Hendrick, the organization's chief legal officer, told UFC.com. "We expect more from our athletes, especially these two gentlemen, who are very well-trained and highly educated professionals. Their actions were clearly a violation of the UFC's code of conduct.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has reportedly requested a video of the incident in an attempt to see if penalties should be levied against Jones and Cormier. UFC.com noted that it will cooperate with the investigation.
"There are going to be ramifications," Hendrick told UFC.com. "Whether you're the champion, or this is your first fight in the UFC, there are going to be ramifications from the UFC for these actions."
Jones did ask for forgiveness after the incident during an interview on ESPN.
"I would like to apologize to the MGM Grand, all the fans, all the kids watching," Jones said. "I'm definitely not proud of what happened today."
Cormier, on the other hand, called Jones' apology "fake" and accused him of instigating the incident. Both men claimed they were acting in self-defense.
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