Late last night, UFC President Dana White released the sparring footage featuring Conor McGregor and then sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi. The footage also includes the video of how the former IBF and WBA World Champion ended up on the canvas.
Here is the video everyone wanted to see of Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF and WBA World Champion @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/GfFP3SKsye
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 12, 2017
For all the people who think @TheNotoriousMMA can’t box. This is gonna be a FIGHT! Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF/WBA World Champion. pic.twitter.com/CcTkFq0fhr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 12, 2017
Not satisfied with what was released Malignaggi took to his own twitter page to prod the UFC president and continue to assert that he was tripped or pushed and not punched.
Pushing my head down with right hand as he’s draggin me in that direction by it then throwin the left, the push down is with right hand. https://t.co/txdK1ZQsIi
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 12, 2017
The Brooklyn born boxer has spent the majority of today attempting to invalidate the video, and even challenge McGregor to a match on St. Patrick’s day. Malignaggi also now wants the UFC to release release the full sparring sessions.
“I mean, even tonight’s highlights showed what I [had] already said. As a whole he got his ass beat that session but never will they release [all 36 minutes].”
McGregor calmly addressed Malignaggi’s exit from his camp during Friday’s media day at the UFC Performance Center in Las Vegas.
“He was looking for an exit,” McGregor said. “The spars were not good for him. He took a lot of head trauma. Straight after it, we were worried. The sparring partners were actually telling us when he was dropped back to the home that he was stumbling out of the car after the 12-rounder.
“He was knocked down; he flattened against the ropes. Multiple times the ropes kept him on his feet. We were worried about him. We thought the worst was about to happen. He was certainly badly concussed. And then he just got out of there and went running.
“He got his ass whupped, he got his pride dented, and he wanted a way out. What better way to exit under a load of questions and mysteriousness.”