LAS VEGAS _ UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov didn't want to participate in Thursday's UFC 229 news conference on Conor McGregor's terms.
So less than 14 minutes into answering questions from the start of the scheduled 3 p.m. start, Nurmagomedov (26-0) said thank you to reporters and fans and got up out of his seat and exited Park Theater.
"This is new," UFC President Dana White said.
Nurmagomedov, who missed a weight cut last year, said he needed to get to work on his weight cut with an 11 a.m. deadline to meet 155 pounds.
He additionally was delivering a sharp message to the habitually late McGregor (21-3) that he didn't need to wait for him.
"We were told Conor was in the car, that he'd be here in a few minutes, and (Khabib) said, 'I'm not going to wait,' " White said. "We will see them face off tomorrow at the weigh-in. That's the day I'm looking forward to."
