Since Nate Diaz’s UFC debut in 2007, when he won The Ultimate Fighter 5, he hasn’t been shy about expressing his opinions or sticking up for perceived injustices. Even after defeating Conor McGregor at UFC 196 on March 5, Diaz didn’t mince words.
During the post-fight press conference, Diaz mentioned how the UFC had promoted McGregor and helped make him a star. Meanwhile, before facing McGregor, Diaz hadn’t fought on pay-per-view since 2011. He thought he deserved better,
“I just wished I had the same push, the same help,” Diaz said. “I’ve been in this a long time. It’s been nine years. This was like my 25th fight here in the UFC. I’ve been the last few years curious when this is gonna pay off. I think it’s time. Now, it’s time.”
Yes, it is. Diaz lost his rematch to McGregor on Saturday night via majority decision at UFC 202 in Las Vegas. Two judges scored it 48-47 for McGregor. The third had it 47-47. Still, the way Diaz hung in there, withstood McGregor’s early leg kicks and remained aggressive, he proved he’s a main event guy and big draw.
Diaz did it all despite, according to him, injuring his knee about a month ago and not being able to train jiu-jitsu since then. About two and a half weeks ago, he hurt his ribs while sparring with welterweight boxer Alan Sanchez. Diaz told reporters he wasn’t making any excuses, though. He also wasn’t satisfied.
“I thought I won that fight,” he told UFC announcer Joe Rogan in a post-fight interview. “They can’t have a motherf---ker like me winning. I’m too real for this sport. They’re gonna get me out when they can, but it’s all good, though.”
Facing McGregor twice has helped revive Diaz’s career, raise his profile and make him relevant to a wider audience. After Diaz beat Michael Johnson via unanimous decision on Dec. 19 in Diaz’s first fight in more than a year, he was already looking ahead. Diaz had lost three of his last four fights entering the Johnson bout, but he was impressive throughout and confident afterwards. During an in-cage interview with Rogan, Diaz launched an expletive-laced tirade, calling out McGregor.
“Conor McGregor, you’re taking everything I worked for, mother---ker,” Diaz said. “I’m gonna fight your f--king ass. You know what the real fight, what the real money fight is – me. Not these clowns that you already punked in the press conference. Don’t no one want to see that. You know you’ve beat them already. That’s the easy fight. You want that real sh-- right here.”
Still, Diaz had to wait his turn. McGregor signed to face lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196 on March 5. McGregor had won the featherweight title on Dec. 12 at UFC 194 when he knocked out Jose Aldo with a lefthand to the chin 13 seconds into the first round. With that stunning punch, McGregor snapped Aldo’s 18-bout win streak and handed Aldo his first loss since November 2005.
McGregor vowed to become the first fighter to hold two UFC titles at the same time. But dos Anjos broke his left foot and pulled out 11 days before the bout. Diaz then got his shot, replacing dos Anjos on short notice. The two agreed to fight at 170 pounds, 15 more pounds than the lightweight limit. It was the first time McGregor had fought at that weight.
Despite the lack of a training camp, Diaz was ready. He wasn’t about to let his chance slip away against McGregor, who was undefeated (7-0) in UFC competition and had a 15-fight winning streak dating to 2010.
Diaz hadn’t fought on pay-per-view since Dec. 30, 2011 when he beat Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision in what was dubbed the fight of the night. Since then, Diaz had fought exclusively on Fox and FS1.
During the first round, McGregor landed a number of punches, causing Diaz to bleed profusely. Still, Diaz absorbed the blows and didn’t quit. He just kept coming at McGregor, who tired as the night went on. Finally, Diaz locked in a rear naked choke hold and made McGregor tap with 51 seconds remaining in the second round. Afterward, Diaz raised both arms and celebrated another fight and performance of the night as blood poured down his face.
“I knew I was the superior boxer, the superior martial artist, superior jiu-jitsu,” Diaz said at the post-fight news conference. “Like I said from the beginning, I have the best training partners in the world in every aspect in boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and MMA. Nothing surprised me except for that I got hit at all. I think with a full camp, I would’ve been flawless, but it’s whatever. I’m not surprised.”
A rematch with McGregor almost never happened.
On April 19, as McGregor prepared to fight Diaz at UFC 200, McGregor sent out a Tweet announcing his apparent retirement. Later that day, UFC president Dana White pulled McGregor from the fight, citing his refusal to leave his training camp in Iceland and promote the bout in Las Vegas as the reason for the disciplinary action.
Two months later, the sides finally settled their differences and signed a contract to stage Diaz-McGregor II as the main event of UFC 202. The histrionics for the fight heated up during Wednesday’s press conference when McGregor showed up more than a half hour late. As McGregor spoke on the dais, Diaz walked off the stage, but he lingered in the back of the room. McGregor and Diaz continued taunting each other with expletives, double middle fingers and other insults. They even threw water bottles and other items.
The UFC and MGM Grand then banned several members of Diaz and McGregor’s entourage from Saturday’s fight. They missed an epic battle.
From the start, McGregor aimed at Diaz’s right (front) foot and landed several kicks. McGregor knocked Diaz down with 3:19 left in the first round and twice more early in the second round. Each time, McGregor allowed Diaz to stand up. It was different than the first fight when McGregor said he was “inefficient with my energy” and too aggressive before getting tired. McGregor was more patient this time, which nearly hurt him. By the end of the second round, Diaz had regrouped, caused McGregor to fall to the canvas and flexed his muscles to the crowd.
During the third round, numerous fans at T-Mobile Arena began chanting “Diaz, Diaz, Diaz.” Diaz landed several punches late in the round and seemed to gain the upper hand, but neither fighter would give up. Diaz wiped blood off his eyes and face numerous times and culminated the fight by taking down McGregor as the fifth round ended. McGregor had never fought the full five rounds, while Diaz had only done so once before, when he lost a unanimous decision to lightweight champion Benson Henderson in December 2012.
For their efforts, Diaz-McGregor II was named fight of the night. It may have been fight of the year, too. Making it more remarkable, both guys were injured. McGregor hurt his ankle in training and his shin during the Diaz fight, while Diaz hurt his knee and ribs while training.
For all of McGregor’s trash talk beforehand, he praised Diaz’s toughness and durability late Saturday night.
“I’ll tell you what, man,” McGregor said at his post-fight press conference. “His face was opened up, and he [was] still just coming at me. You’ve gotta respect that. You’ve gotta respect Nate and the style of fighting that he brings. How can you not?”
When McGregor spoke with Rogan in the cage, he said he wanted to fight Diaz again, albeit with one caveat: a 155-pound weight limit. The stipulation didn’t seem to deter Diaz. He was eager for the trilogy.
“Hey, good job today, Conor,” Diaz told Rogan. “But we’re going for three. For real.”
The third fight will likely have to wait, though. Before facing Diaz, McGregor might defend his featherweight title or fight lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
As for Diaz’s next step? It’s still unclear.
He told reporters that he was looking forward to a fun night. He was smoking a CBD oil out of a vape during his post-fight press conference. He and his brother, Nick, were also hosting a late-night party at the Light nightclub at the Mandalay Bay Casino.
“I’m gonna go do my thing over there,” Diaz said. “That’s what winners do – finish my night off like a soldier.”
Diaz could be forgiven for thinking about enjoying himself. It might be a while before he returns to the cage. Twice in the past three years, he has taken more than a year off between fights. Diaz could now have another long hiatus. On Saturday night, he didn’t seem eager to face anyone other than McGregor.
“Until then,” Diaz told Rogan. “I ain’t coming back.”
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