Werdum: I would have slapped McGregor at UFC 197 press conference

Conor McGregor stole the show at the UFC 197 press conference earlier this week when he put Rafael dos Anjos on blast for nearly 45 minutes. The most intense moment of the press conference however came when the pair had their first staredown at the end of the event.

UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, who trains with Rafael dos Anjos at Kings MMA spoke to MMAFighting to discuss what he would have done in dos Anjos’ position.

“When [reporters] had a question for Rafael and he talked over him, this is no good,” Werudm said. “If it was my opponent, I would do this [Werdum makes a gesture like throwing water in his face, then makes a slapping sound], I’d say ‘be quiet.’ But that’s not Rafael’s personality. He’s a smart guy, okay, he controls himself, he just thinks about the fight.”

“It’s very important to respect,” Werdum said. “You have your space, I have my space. We have a fight, why do you touch me before. I thought Conor McGregor wasn’t showing respect. It’s not good. If he does it to me, he has a big problem. It think it’s very important he respects my space and I respect his space.”