Tensions heated up during the final staredown between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane.
The two heavyweight contenders will meet in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 265 event, which emanates from the Toyota Center in Houston, Lewis’ hometown.
Both men successfully made weight earlier in the day, but at Friday afternoon’s ceremonial weigh-ins, the fighters got face-to-face, nose-to-nose, each trying to hold their ground and going further and further away from a seemingly concerned Dana White.
Lewis asked once again to let the final face-off happen, which it eventually did several feet away from where the others took place.
Following the intense moments, Gane (9-0) was asked by Jon Anik to give his thoughts on the fight and expressed being grateful for the chance to make a statement in a big spot.
“For me, it’s a big opportunity,” Gane said. “It’s a big challenge, but I want to prove I can do it.”
“The Black Beast,” a winner of four straight, kept things short and sweet.
“I’m gonna bang his ass up,” Lewis stated.