Two of the judges had the fight scored at 48-47 to McGregor, while the other scored the fight 47-47.
Advertisement
McGregor, who was bested by Diaz at UFC 196, got back to winning ways by registering a controversial split-decision win over the Stockton native. He won the 145-pound belt against Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds last December, but he’s yet to defend the title.
The future for Diaz is a little less clear. When I fight Nate again.it will be on my terms.
“I don’t think they’re going to do that – I mean how can they do that?”
The flamboyant McGregor is the biggest draw in the UFC, as shown by his $3 million paycheck for Saturday’s fight. “They can’t have a mother– like me win”.
The Irishman faced adversity like never before as Diaz, who won their first fight in March, tested his endurance but McGregor had enough in the tank to earn a reputation-enhancing verdict at UFC 202 at welterweight, a full 25lbs above his regular weight class.
While McGregor dominated the early rounds, sending Diaz to the mat with a solid right early on, he was far more conservative than he had been in their previous fight when he punched himself out. I came up to 170 (pounds).
McGregor immediately challenged Diaz to a third fight – but only if Diaz would come down to the lightweight division. “I’m one of the greatest fighters of all time!”
Diaz – the 31-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist – echoed McGregor’s demands for a second rematch. “I don’t know. I’ve got to sit down and see what’s next”. Both men want the third fight – should it happen – at 155. McGregor knocked Diaz down twice more in Round 2, bloodying his nose and taking total control. Considering the theatrics and fighting style of Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor, we should’ve known they were going to be the exception. After the match Diaz told reporters, “All I know is it’s 1-1”.
“I’ve got to talk”.
At the press conference, he said: “Look, I’m going to go back down weight”.
The previous purse record was set by Brock Lesnar at UFC 200.
Advertisement
Though there is one fight we shouldn’t expect to see – McGregor vs. Brock Lesnar.
