Thor Bjornsson has admitted to spitting on Eddie Hall during their confrontation - but insists his rival projected the first phlegm.
The former strongmen will settle their long-running rivalry in the ring in Dubai on Saturday night when they clash over six rounds.
But they almost came to blows earlier this week when they crossed paths in the gym and proceeded to face off before Hall was dragged outside.
Footage of the incident was shared online before Bjornsson gave this side of the story.
"I am getting a lot of questions regarding an incident that occurred between Eddie and I yesterday," he wrote.
"I was getting ready to train when i received a message letting me know that Eddie was five minutes away. I had no idea that this was happening, it was an obvious setup that Eddie was in on.
"Things got pretty heated, insults were thrown and it ended with Eddie being dragged out of the building, severely injuring someone involved, whilst trying to spit on me.
"I did spit back, not my finest moment but the adrenaline was cranked and I was shocked that he would do something so disgusting.
"Regardless, I managed to keep quite calm, all things considered, as I didn't want to throw two years of hard work out the window.
"I'm looking forward to stepping into the ring with Eddie on Saturday so we can settle this once and for all, without it turning into a disgusting street fight which is clearly what Eddie wanted after his clear lack of discipline in yesterday's display."
Mirror Fighting has approached Hall's team for comment.
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In the video, the Icelander can be seen approaching his English rival and asks Hall if he is ready.
The pair square up as Bjornsson appears to put his hand on Hall's chest, prompting the shorter man to say, "If you touch me, I'll bite your f****** nose off."
Hall then claims his adversary looks scared before shouting, "Step outside and I'll tear your f******* head off."
Bjornsson replies: "Let's f****** go!" before Hall, who is being shepherded outside, responds: "You f****** p****."
Hall then appears to spit at Bjornsson who responds in kind before the Englishman is removed from the building.
