VIDEO | Slow-mo replay of Conor McGregor punching at Nate Diaz during UFC 196 press conference face-off

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Fans had a back-and-forth debate regarding UFC featherweight Conor McGregor and his UFC veteran opponent Nate Diaz’s scuffle on Thursday at the UFC 196 press conference.

Things were heated throughout the press conference and it came to a near melee after McGregor struck at Diaz’s hands during their face off at the end of the presser.

Fans argued that “The Notorious” gave an open hand slap pushing Diaz’s clenched fists away from his face while others argued that McGregor threw an actual punch at Diaz’s hands.

Check out the video above and you can clearly see that McGregor had his fist closed after his hand comes down from the strike.

Should this be some sort of foul on McGregor with consequences? Could either of their hands have sustained an injury during the brief exchange? Of course many might think that fighter’s hands are conditioned and used to hitting and being hit. However, this was bare knuckled and the injury of fighters breaking their hands in competition is quite common even while wearing MMA gloves.

While Conor McGregor will be looking to defeat Diaz on Saturday night and perhaps look at gunning for the welterweight title against Robbie Lawler, Diaz has his own plans on establishing himself as the man to stop “The Notorious” and take everything that he has worked for with his past 21 bouts for the UFC with him.

What are your thoughts on the press conference action? Is it all just to build up the big fight on Saturday? Share your thoughts on the eruption from Thursday’s event.

Also be sure to vote on who you see winning the McGregor vs. Diaz fight on the BJPENN.COM poll and view the results to see who everyone else is picking to win in the main event of UFC 196.