At the UFC 202 on Sunday, McGregor, the reigning UFC Featherweight champion and arguably the most popular (as well as controversial) MMA fighter in the world, produced one of the best performances of his career to defeat Nate Diaz in a rematch to their UFC 196 fight. The five-round welterweight fight is an instant front-runner for fight of the year.
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McGregor won the slugfest Saturday night over Diaz by majority decision, but the third installment both fighters called for after the war will have to wait, according to UFC president Dana White. CSNBayArea.com also scored the contest 48-47 for McGregor.
Conor McGregor said he expected a third fight to go down, possibly at 155. The king is back!
With the pair having now won a fight each, those doubting McGregor’s worthiness as a champion will get their rematch in the shape of a decider. He dropped Diaz three times in the first two rounds but showed patience in not rushing in for the quick finish.
Whatever the case and whatever McGregor decides to do next, one thing McGregor needs to do right now is to take an extended break away from fighting and lick his wounds from the brutal fight last evening.
Diaz came close to finishing it in the third but McGregor somehow stayed on his feet despite a series of heavy blows.
A trilogy with Nate Diaz?
“I came to this fight worse off than last time”.
Once Diaz picked up the pace, the bout never slowed down.
At the press conference, he said: “Look, I’m going to go back down weight”. I didn’t get to train. “I’m ready for [No. 3]”.
It’s anyone’s guess on what comes next for McGregor, who may or may not be able to return to 145 pounds to defend his featherweight title in the near future.
They were supposed to battle again at welterweight at the landmark UFC 200, but that bout was canceled after McGregor announced his retirement and refused to meet with media. What do you want to me to do – keep kicking the guy while he was down. “Let’s regroup and do it again!”
While there were many fights and fighters worthy of a $50K post fight bonus.
Diaz is quoted as saying: “Hey good job today, Conor, but we’re going for three”. “I gotta sit down and see what’s next”.
McGregor began the match with a different approach.
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Diaz found himself on the canvas midway through the first round and was subjected to a number of grueling leg kicks by his opponent. He knocked Diaz down twice, but stayed patient. Towards the end of the opening frame, McGregor stung him with a hand combination.
