Mandel Nallo Explains Weigh-In Nose-Picking Moment with Dana White

Mandel Nallo secured a stoppage victory over Nate Landwehr at UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17, but his pre-fight actions on the ceremonial weigh-in stage drew just as much attention. The Canadian lightweight conspicuously picked his nose before stepping into his faceoff, creating an awkward encounter right as UFC CEO Dana White extended his hand for a handshake.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Nallo explained that the gesture was meant solely as a signal for his sons. "I wanted to notify them that I knew they were watching," Nallo said. "So I told them, 'What's something I can do so that you guys can see that I know you're watching?' They told me, 'Pick your nose.' I'm a committed nose picker. So, I went up there and that was for them."

However, following through with the plan quickly caused an unplanned dilemma on stage. "I'm gonna go up there with my right hand, and then [Dana White] extends his arm out to you. You don't have time to explain what just happened.

So I did a finger point so that there was no contact," Nallo said. "It was kind of like a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' moment. I got this booger in my hand, but if I go, 'I don't want to shake your hand,' then I look even worse."

Nallo added that his sons do not actually know what he does for a living; while they train jiu-jitsu, they are unaware of how violent MMA can be. The 37-year-old (15-4, 1 NC), who earned his promotional contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year and lost his Octagon debut to Jai Herbert by TKO earlier this year, has never had a professional bout go to the judges' scorecards.