Conor McGregor shows ground work, and disdain for Diaz brothers, at open workout

Conor McGregor showed how he can apply an armbar in a brief public workout Thursday to hype his UFC 202 fight against Nate Diaz on Saturday.

But McGregor wasn’t there to show anything as much as he was to pass along a message: “ ... the Diaz brothers!” McGregor roared to the crowd.

The appearance came the afternoon following a news conference scuffle that shortened the session with Diaz and his brother, UFC fighter Nick Diaz, leaving the venue by throwing filled plastic bottles and shouting swear words at the late-arriving McGregor.

McGregor, the UFC’s featherweight champion who was upset by Diaz on March 5 in a non-title welterweight fight at MGM Grand, launched some loaded aluminum cans back at the Diaz entourage Wednesday.

“I got … out of there, kept my head down … that’s it,” McGregor said.

This time, amid reports the pair may face disciplinary fines from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their behavior, their appearances were separated by two hours at Red Rock Casino and Spa.

Asked if he should be punished for Wednesday’s fray, he said, “I was in fear of my life. Bottles were coming flying. It was just self-defense on my part, so I got out. I was afraid for my life.”

McGregor showed more ground work than he usually utilizes in fights during his workout session, then rose and took a few questions from reporters.

He agreed the fight was made bigger by the Wednesday scuffle.

“It’s big fun, it always is, I’m ready for a war,” he said. “We’re here for the fight.

“To all those fans with the invincible feeling that [Diaz] can’t be knocked out, he can be knocked out and he will be knocked out,” McGregor said.

Does the outcome alter his legacy?

“My legacy’s set in stone. My legacy was set in stone when [former featherweight champion] Jose [Aldo] crumbled in [13] seconds. This is just something outside of this. This is just a straight fight. I’m happy with that because that’s what I came here for, a straight fight.”

Another question was never finished as McGregor interrupted it to inject, “Like I said, … team Diaz,” tossing the microphone behind him and exiting the premises with Friday’s weigh-in and faceoff to come.