Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are slated to headline UFC 297 with Strickland's middleweight world championship at stake.
But the two fighters didn't wait until their January 20th clash to throw hands.
During the live UFC 296 pay-per-view main card Saturday night, Strickland and Du Plessis got into a scrap in the crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and had to be separated, the UFC broadcast team reported.
Footage showed the scrap get out of hand and the two fighters being separated. UFC commentator Jon Anik reported live that Strickland had to be escorted out of the arena.
This should make for quite the explosive matchup when the two do step into the Octagon in the New Year.