THE RIVALRY between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Nate Diaz escalated at UFC 239 as the pair clashed cageside.

Both men were in attendance to watch Jon Jones’ UFC light-heavyweight title defence against Brazilian Thiago Santos, while Nurmagomedov's team-mate Luke Rockhold was in action.

The two lightweight rivals were seated near each other at the T-Mobile Arena, and Diaz quickly moved to go after Nurmagomedov.

Stockton brawler Diaz looked to confront the UFC lightweight champion with the Russian’s outspoken manager Ali Abdelaziz also present.

Diaz, who famously defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 196 in March 2016, exchanged words with Nurmagomedov before trying to get closer to the champion.

However, the 34-year-old was stopped in his tracks by security while members of Nurmagomedov’s entourage began to fire back verbal jabs of their own.

Diaz was then seated elsewhere as security prevented the California bad boy from starting a brawl.

The pair have a long history dating back to 2015 when they clashed at a World Series of Fighting event at Las Vegas.

Both men had team-mates squaring up against each other as it quickly escalated to a brawl that security struggled to break up with Nick Diaz at the heart of the fight.

The trouble did not stop there as both entourages the met on the Vegas strip where they continued their melee and a mass brawl broke out.

Diaz claims to have “slapped” Nurmagomedov, though the Russian insists his American rival  was “hiding behind security and ran away”.

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