Manager Alex Davis Reveals Possible Catalyst for UFC 279 Press Conference Scuffle

Norma Dumont! pic.twitter.com/xdVRfg6D6P

— Alex Davis (@Alexdavismma) September 11, 2022

The real cause of the backstage melee that forced Dana White to cancel the UFC 279 pre-fight press conference last week may have come from an unlikely source.

According to long-tenured manager Alex Davis, a discussion between Darren Till and another Englishman triggered the incident.

“I was informed backstage that what started the fight was a discussion about the death of Queen Elizabeth between Darren Till and another British guy,” Davis told Sherdog.com. “As you know, some people in England support the Royal Family and others hate them and that was the cause. Till and this other British guy started the fight and eventually it spread.”

Davis was in Las Vegas with Norma Dumont, who earned a dominant unanimous victory against Danyelle Wolf in a featherweight bout at UFC 279. Thanks to that triumph, the manager believes Dumont could be in line to face Irene Aldana in a featherweight title eliminator bout next. Aldana normally competes at bantamweight but knocked out Macy Chiasson in a 140-pound catchweight clash on this past Saturday’s card.

“There were rumors this division could be finished, but I don’t think so,” Davis said. “I see a great chance of Norma facing Irene at [UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro]. That would be the most fair to decide who would face Amanda [Nunes] next.”

Davis also represents PFL finalist Larissa Pacheco, who will square off against Kayla Harrison for a third time for the promotion’s lightweight championship in November. He expects Pacheco to be a completely different fighter this time around.

“I love Kayla. She is like a family member to me,” Davis said. “But she has never faced a real test in MMA and this time Pacheco will bring her a totally different fight.”

Davis added that Pacheco has made a few key changes that should make a difference in her performance come fight night.

“She did the first camp in Belem. Now she is doing the whole camp at ATT Atlanta supported by Roan Carneiro and training with many D-1 wrestlers,” Davis said. “Besides that, she totally changed her diet.  I have no doubt Kayla will have her first real test.”

Davis also discussed how Thiago Santos’ move from the UFC to Professional Fighters League came to pass.

“He was doing the last fight of his contract, coming from four defeats in five fights. Even with all his fights against top contenders being very close, we were aware that the UFC has a lot of fighters in the light heavyweight division now and the negotiation wouldn't be easy, so I asked the UFC to let me negotiate with other organizations,” Davis said. “They gave me that authorization and PFL loved to have him, so everything was perfect.

“Thiago went from ugly duckling in the UFC to golden egg hen in PFL. Thiago is really motivated now and I have no doubt he will get that one million dollar prize in the light heavyweight division in 2023.”