Tensions boiled over between Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez at Thursday’s UFC 314 pre-fight press conference in Miami, where both featherweight contenders hurled accusations and insults before being separated by security.
The confrontation cast a shadow over Saturday’s pay-per-view at the Kaseya Center, where Lopes challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant title and Rodriguez faces Patricio Freire.
The UFC 314 press event spiralled into chaos after a reporter asked Diego Lopes if he would defend the title against Yair Rodriguez at Noche UFC in Guadalajara on 13 September, if victorious this weekend.
“How many consecutive losses does he have?” Lopes said. “How many? Two? That’s not enough (for a title fight).”
Rodriguez immediately shot back with an explosive accusation.
“P*ssy. Didn’t you jump Marco (Beltran) between you and your team? Didn’t you jump Marco with your team? Yes or no?” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to tell you this to your fcking face. You’re going to pay for Marco.”
Security stepped in as both fighters stood up and exchanged threats, visibly agitated.
The altercation stems from a longstanding incident dating back to 2019, when Lopes submitted former UFC fighter Marco Beltran in Monterrey, Mexico, to win the LUX featherweight title. Rodriguez claims Lopes and his team assaulted Beltran during that period — an accusation Lopes has denied.
Instead, Lopes pointed the finger back at Rodriguez during the press conference, accusing him of threatening a female member of his camp.
“Talk about my team, and the same thing that happen to him will happen to you,” Lopes shouted. “You threatened her, you threatened her. You threatened a girl, and you’re going to pay.”
Rodriguez responded, “Don’t twist up words.”
There’s no confirmed timeline or corroboration of either fighter’s claims. However, the exchange has added fuel to an already tense fight week. While Lopes prepares for the biggest bout of his career against Volkanovski, Rodriguez will square off with former Bellator two-division champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Both fights take place on the UFC 314 main card Saturday night.
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