Things were heated when Khamzat Chimaev and Drus Du Plessis last met before their title collision in Chicago.
The time to talk is almost over in the 'Windy City', with UFC 319 that goes from the United Center on Saturday night.
Du Plessis and Chimaev's Middleweight Title Clash in the main event has not surprisingly caught most of the headlines and is as long -awaited as every UFC fight this year so far. And to achieve that point, the couple does not need much hostility.
The two headliners were largely respectful for each other, which was visible during the Vechtweek when Cameras caught Chimaev that came in Du Plessis.
On a day in their confrontation, however, things were heated on stage.
Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev must be separated during the last UFC 319 Face-Off
As usual prior to Pay-per-View events, the athletes went on stage for the ceremonial weightings on Friday.
In addition to Joe Rogan, the official weight announced that every hunter hit the scales earlier in the day, the stars of the upcoming card could be the last time for the fans for the fans.
Du Plessis and Chimaev are both known for their intensity when they are in mind with their opponents, and that is not surprising for a tense moment for UFC CEO Dana White and the security team of his promotion.
After they had arrived on Thursday the UFC 319 press conference on Thursday, things immediately became physically between the middleweight champion and his challenger on Friday evening, where the couple were quickly separated when Chimaev tried to push his rival.
Dricus du Plessis sends Booing Chicago fans a message in the last pre-cone 319 comments
The two top middle weights only have a few hours to wait until they can get each other in the cage. If they do that, the reigning champion has sworn Chimaev to put asleep.
While he is booed by a crowd in Chicago that is firmly in the corner of the challenger, Du Plessis promised to win as he has many others by making 'Borz' unconscious and to become the first to defeat him in professional MMA.
“He is an absolute beast of an opponent,” Du Plessis told Rogan on stage. 'But I can tell you this: I put that man asleep.
“Whether it is on the floor, or I get him away; I take your boy out, and you will all cheer.
“I just know, like every other time,” Du Plessis concluded and added a bad smile before he ended the stage.
Chimaev showed a similar confidence and stated that the champion has “only one day left” and will be 'dead tomorrow'.