Paulie Malignaggi left Conor McGregor's training camp more than a week ago in acrimonious circumstances. The former two-weight world champion was working as a sparring partner for McGregor ahead of the Dubliner's fight with Floyd Mayweather later this month.
Malignaggi quit following the leak of photos from the second sparring session. The photos portrayed McGregor in a favourable light with one, in particular, showing the New Yorker on the canvas with McGregor standing over him. It implied that McGregor had knocked down Malignaggi. That there had been a knockdown was something which Malignaggi contended. He thought it had been a 'pushdown'.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, UFC president Dana White released footage from the sparring session with a brief clip of the contentious moment being of particular interest.
White has presumably released the clip as definite proof of a knockdown. However, due to some poor camera work, it's tough to work out how much of a connection McGregor actually made.
Here is the video everyone wanted to see of Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF and WBA World Champion @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/GfFP3SKsye
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 12, 2017
White did also release another clip from the sparring session; once which shows McGregor landing some clean hits on Malignaggi.
For all the people who think @TheNotoriousMMA can't box. This is gonna be a FIGHT! Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF/WBA World Champion. pic.twitter.com/CcTkFq0fhr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 12, 2017
Malignaggi has reacted angrily regarding the release of the footage.
@danawhite you bitchass you were actually there and saw all 12 rounds. Really you fuckin cue ball ass fraud? Kissin my ass after the 12rds.
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 12, 2017
He explained him ending up on the canvas as being the result of a 'half push half trip'. He also contends that the full 36 minutes of the session would show McGregor losing.
Watch right hand drag me behind my neck, hes also a southpaw so it's draggin me toward his lead foot that I trip over, have push half trip. https://t.co/QevX3n5Q0v
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 12, 2017
As I've said, we got 36 min last Tues, I've already explained the last 2 rounds were his. I stand by the full 36 min tho. Edit how u like.
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) August 12, 2017
Once McGregor vs Mayweather is done - and if McGregor doesn't get completely embarrassed in his first pro fight - it would not be a surprise to hear talk of the Irish man facing his former sparring partner.
