McGregor-Diaz rematch officially headlines UFC 200

It’s the surprise sequel to the stunning fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz and it’s happening in UFC 200 on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor lost to Diaz in their first match in UFC 196 when the Irishman tapped out in the second round.

Rafael dos Anjos was originally slated as McGregor’s opponent in what would’ve been for the lightweight title early this month but an injury forced the Brazilian to pullout from the headliner with UFC president Dana White putting Diaz as the replacement.

Like the first bout, the rematch will also be in the welterweight division.

An interim title fight would be the co-main event of the fight between former champion Jose Aldo, the man McGregor beat for the title, against Frankie Edgar, the man who wants McGregor.

Other matches include a heavyweight showdown between top ranked Cain Velasquez and No. 7 Travis Browne, welterweight Jimmy Hendricks taking on Kelvin Gastelum, and a middleweight matchup between Gegard Mousasi and Derek Brunson.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Diaz, McGregor nearly come to blows at UFC 196 presser

As if the tension between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz couldn’t get any more heated, the two almost came to
blows during the UFC 196 pre-fight press conference on Thursday (Friday Manila time).

With the two fighters engaging in a staredown, Diaz put his hands up in a fighting stance, with his right fist directly targeted on McGregor’s face. The Irish didn’t take that act kindly and slapped his opponent’s hand away with UFC president Dana White in between them.

Diaz tried to get to the UFC featherweght champion, with his brother Nick and training partner Jake Shields joining him in the stage. But White, UFC executive Dave Scholler, and the security forces were able to pacify and averted a full-blown brawl.

McGregor will be making his welterweight division debut on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) at UFC 196 in Las Vegas.

The Irish was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos for the title, but the Brazilian had to forego the fight due to a foot injury. The fight would’ve given McGregor a shot to be the first man to hold titles in two weight divisions.

Diaz was named as a late replacement for Dos Anjos, and since then, he and McGregor have never stopped trading barbs even before the two faced off in the Octagon.

source: sports.inquirer.net