NATE DIAZ AND Conor McGregor met tonight for the first time since Diaz defeated McGregor via second-round submission last March at UFC 196.
Ahead of their rematch at UFC 202 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 20 August, the pair were in attendance at a press conference, alongside UFC president Dana White, at the same venue this evening.
“I’m looking forward to it,” McGregor said. “I feel the last contest was a great fight. I have my reasons why I feel the fight went the way it went.
“Now I have an opportunity to prove what I’m saying, like I’ve proved many times before, that what I say is correct. I look forward to 20 August, when I’ll come in correct, prepared, sharp and I will take this man out.”
Since tasting defeat in the UFC for the first time, McGregor has admitted that he was guilty of complacency in the build-up to his loss against Diaz four months ago.
At UFC 196, the Dubliner was originally scheduled to face lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, who pulled out due to injury just 11 days before the fight, at which point Diaz stepped in as a late replacement.
“I’ve simply prepared a little bit more specific,” said McGregor, when asked what he’s doing differently to get ready for his second crack at Diaz. “Usually I don’t prepare for a specific opponent and the reasons are clear to everybody. Everyone I face pulls out. They pull out all the time. Last-minute pull-outs have been a staple in my career.
“So I just carried on training. Even though I was preparing for dos Anjos in the last contest, I didn’t even bring a southpaw into the camp. This time I’m preparing for a tall, lanky, ugly, Mexican southpaw and that’s it. A lot more specific. I’m going to go in and put this man away.”
Although McGregor explained that his preparations will be different for this fight, he insisted that he won’t change his strategy when the bout begins.
The UFC featherweight (145lbs) champion, who has been sparring with top Irish amateur Conor Wallace and former IBF and IBO international welterweight champion Chris van Heerden, will be fighting at welterweight (170lbs) once again on 20 August.
“All my sparring partners are six-foot-plus,” McGregor said. “I’m sparring middleweights for this contest so I’ll feel this extra weight. I’ll understand that I must piece the shots together well.
“I feel they [Diaz's camp] may think that I’m going to come in and tip-tap and run, hit and run, but I’m going to go in and do what I always do. I’m going to go out, press forward, have that man backed up, similar to the way I had him backed up in the last fight, and I’m going to tee off on him.
“This time I’m going to be a lot more prepared for the size and the weight, and for the distance also. One thing I underestimated was his durability and his experience. I will not make that same mistake again.”
How can McGregor beat Diaz this time?? The only thing thats changed is that Diaz has had a full camp. Utter madness from CMG at 170. Can’t see it. Hope I’m utterly wrong. I could well be cause I know fuk all about MMA.
Then he will tap again. Nate to win this easily like he did the last fight
So many MMA (UFC to you) experts in Ireland these days!
I’m not convinced Conors Jitz skills are that far away from Nates. He got a great reversal on Nate and dominated ground in RD 1 ladt time. Lets be honest Nates finish came from punches / exhaustion – not amazing jitz. Of course more chance of seeing ground game tested again as Conor won’t be hunting the early KO as in 197. Still think size is a big problem for Conor – money has to be on Nate :-(
And you’re not one of them? Are you going to tell me you’ve been watching mma since ken shamrock and Dan severin in the 90s.
Your right Alan. I agree with you on that. There all the same fools who only started watching since Conor came on the scene. And now that he lost a fight they are the ones talking bad about him.
You didn’t even no who Nate was before the fight you fool. And now your a mma expert. Go back to sleep you clown
Maybe go have a lie down mate. Seriously. Criticism of Mcgregor is allowed you know
GOH, Conor destroyed Diaz in the first round of their last fight. He gassed out because of all the extra fight weight he was carrying in the second. Look at the fight again.
He gassed because he was loading up on every shot. And the slow start from Nate was deliberate
I love all you lads that’s ya that! He won the first Round! Like that means anything at all! Chad mendes destroyed Mcgregor in the first round and for 99% of the fight? Where’s his rematch. Diaz had like a week to prepare and still won. It’s embarrassing!
Did the “king slayer” Diaz have anything to say?
Very poor viewing figures for the presser, compared to the previous 196 presser. Anyhow, it will be tough for CMG, but he can do it, The blue print is there to beat Nate, he does have 10 losses after all. RDA butchered his legs. Making his 1-2 non existence. Diaz does not use leg kicks, and very rearly attempts take downs. He stands and trades and walks into digs, a bit of a Homer Simpson approach. But he can go all night long. I think CMG wins via decision.
Conor to.win in 2