McGregor, Diaz start all-in brawl at UFC face-off

Fight fans got an early teaser of the anticipated Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz showdown when the bitter rivals nearly came to blows during their face-off for UFC 196.

There has been little love lost between the two fighters in their war-of-words ahead of the welterweight clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday.

But at a packed press conference, tempers boiled over and the two decided to start their duel a little early.

In footage of the traditional pre-fight pose, McGregor loses his cool and slaps out at the American when Diaz sticks a fist right in the Irishman's face.

Sensing the danger, UFC boss Dana White steps in between the fighters, holding infuriated Diaz back as he tries to get his hands on McGregor.

But the scuffle explodes into life when members of both camps join the fracas with pushing and shoving breaking out across the stage.

Even when peace seems to be restored, the ill-feeling between the fighters cannot be contained and the two are back pushing at one another.

It finally took a troop of security to break-up the melee and make sure ticket holders wouldn’t miss a moment of the action.