Weigh-ins for UFC 189 prove quite the spectacle in their own right

USUALLY the action takes place inside the octagon, but there was drama aplenty at the UFC weigh-ins from backstage biffs to vicious threats.

Featherweight Conor McGregor lets out a yell to his fans during the weigh in for UFC 189, Friday, July 10, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Conor McGregor's boastful Irish charm and exceptional trash-talking skills have turned him into a UFC star, and his reward is a featherweight title fight with Chad Mendes on Saturday night. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Sun via AP) LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

WHEREVER Conor McGregor goes, action is sure to follow. That was certainly the case on Friday at the official weigh-ins for this weekend’s UFC 189.

In unbelievable scenes at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, 11 500 fans packed the arena, with plenty more waiting outside, and what a show they were treated to.

The mayhem began even before the 26-year-old reached the scales. Instead of saving his aggression for the octagon, McGregor got involved in a backstage altercation with UFC superstar Urijah Faber, the pair having to be separated before anything more serious broke out.

Urijah Faber and Conor McGregor got into a minor scuffle backstage before the weigh ins pic.twitter.com/S4WRVU377C

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) July 10, 2015

That wasn’t the last time McGregor was going to have be separated before a fight broke out, with UFC president Dana White forced to step in between the Irishman and his opponent Chad Mendes to prevent the two from coming to blows.

The atmosphere created by the thousands of screaming fans was akin to that of a heavyweight title fight or an English Premier League game such was their passion. Both McGregor and Mendes weighed in at just over 65kg and will battle it out for the UFC featherweight title on Sunday afternoon Australian time.

Truly grateful for every single person supporting me! Tomorrow I raise the gold for my country! pic.twitter.com/Vke30VbDzk

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 11, 2015

Fire Marshall shut down the weigh ins! That's how many people were here. Most insane event I've ever been a part of! pic.twitter.com/hN8btEx6ib

— Dana White (@danawhite) July 10, 2015

This. Is. Crazy. #UFC189 weigh-in is a packed house!!! pic.twitter.com/3Mq4tLwe22

— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2015

Speaking at the weigh-in, the two fighters further fuelled the crowd’s excitement with the obligatory pre-fight war of words.

“Chad is an overblown midget. Tomorrow night I’m going to cut him in half and raise gold for Ireland, for my country,” said McGregor.

“This is f***ing awesome, it’s time to take what’s mine,” said Mendes.

Originally scheduled to take on Jose Aldo in what was billed as the most anticipated fight of the year, the Brazilian was forced to pull out of the clash with McGregor due a rib injury, leaving Mendes to take his place.

So confident is McGregor that he will win the bout, he attempted to bet $US3 million with Dana White on himself to beat the 30-year-old American.