The UFC 196 main card and main event fights begins sometime after 10 pm EST / 7 pm PST depending on how long the other four main card fights take, so plan your TV viewing accordingly.
Advertisement
McGregor never went down, but Diaz pushed him to the fence and landed a series of left hands.
A few of McGregor’s shots found a home as Diaz’s face started to show the wear and tear of the punishment he was taking, but the UFC veteran refused to back down and it paid off. I was inefficient with my energy but I’m humble in victory or defeat.
“I think next I’ll probably go back down and defend my featherweight crown”.
“It is what it is”. I’ll face it like a man, like a champion, and come back’.
“I took the chance going in at 170 [pounds]”, McGregor told UFC commentator Joe Rogan afterwards. I think Nate has very good jiu-jitsu, a very good guard, so you’ve got to be careful if you do knock him down. Diaz plugs him with a jab and a one-two, and McGregor shoots a wobbly and desperate takedown attempt. When dos Anjos pulled out, I was relishing the opportunity to fight Nate. I think with a full camp I would have been flawless.
McGregor has quickly become UFC’s biggest star, and he’s being paid accordingly, as fans continue to spend money and stay up into the morning to watch his fights.
Sure enough, Diaz went into UFC 196 and scored the rear-naked choke to win and upset McGregor. “I’ve made more millionaires in this game than anybody else”.
Diaz did indeed take the fight at short notice, after lightweight strap holder Rafael dos Anjos withdrew from his scheduled title fight against McGregor with a broken foot. It is the ninth submission win of Diaz’s UFC career, second most in the promotion’s history.
If McGregor holds any clout regarding his choice of next opponent, he would appear to favour top featherweight contender Frankie Edgar, although he wants to leave it to the fans.
Asked at a press conference ahead of the fight if he could be the man to break the billion-dollar barrier for the UFC, McGregor was adamant.
Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting said for all McGregor’s strengths, moving up two weight classes from featherweight to welterweight was something he just couldn’t overcome.
Advertisement
McGregor looked desperate and Diaz took him down with a rear-naked choke, winning the bout via submission. Diaz was covered in blood by the end of the first.
