NATE DIAZ IS adamant that the UFC are only hoping for one outcome when he faces Conor McGregor in Las Vegas later this month.
At UFC 202 at the T-Mobile Arena on 20 August, Diaz and McGregor will square off for the second time this year in the event’s headline bout — a rematch of Diaz’s second-round submission of McGregor at UFC 196 back in March.
Just three weeks after his defeat to Diaz, McGregor had his shot at revenge confirmed for UFC 200 on 9 July, which was then rescheduled for UFC 202 as a result of the Dubliner’s dispute with UFC bosses over media obligations.
In an in-depth new interview with Megan Olivi on UFC Fight Pass ahead of the rematch in 18 days’ time, Diaz says that the UFC are desperate for McGregor, their most valuable star, to get back to winning ways, while simultaneously suppressing the increasing popularity that the 31-year-old Stockton native has enjoyed since his UFC 196 triumph.
However, Diaz admitted that while he was keen to take some time out after his previous meeting with McGregor, the money on offer was too good to turn down.
“When it first got booked, I was like, ‘Man, they want to get me right back in there, try to win this back and weed me out again. That’s how I felt,” said Diaz.
I was like, ‘Can I just sit back for eight months and soak up some popularity and some exposure, go on vacation and do what I’ve got to do? They were like, ‘We want this’, and I’m like, ‘Why so quick?’
“But whatever. Then the deal got done. That payday and this payday in such a short amount of time, you can’t pass that up, so let’s do it. But I felt like these guys want to weed me right back out, hoping that I lose. They better hope I lose because if I win this one, I’m really taking over.”
Despite competing in the UFC since 2007, Diaz (19-10) will be aiming for three wins in a row with the organisation for just the third time when he takes on McGregor. The former Ultimate Fighter winner also overcame Michael Johnson back in December.
He said: “I believe I’m the superior martial artist. I’m just going to go in there and get the job done and not get anything I don’t expect. My plan is to win and do good, work hard and win the fight.”
Diaz is such a likeable, relatable dude. Honestly if McGregor wasn’t Irish I would be hoping for a Nate win 100%. As it stands I’m 50/50
A bit like you so kris,can’t imagine Diaz taking solace in someone’s loss something you’d never do
Nah never
McGregor hurt Nate in the 1st round. Easily could have taken him out. Tho Nate can also hurt. He did and McGregor rather than take a step back to clear his head , his ego made him try to claw back straight away. That was a big mistake. I think Connor will do him this time. I do like Nate tho.
This guy is so laid back, which probably helps. There’s nobody guaranteeing he’s gonna lose either
Diaz say something about weed?
That “Stockton slap” he got Conor with is just hilarious but this dude is no joke. A Gracie black his clinch & ground subs’ are as sick as it gets. Along with a chin wired to take shots & improved boxing, he’s hard to stand with also. I think after Conor took out Aldo with that left, he must have convinced himself that was all he needed against anyone. Its going to be interesting to see how he deals with his loss but he needs a completely different game plan to beat Nate this time. Conor has a very smart team around him & I expect him to adapt & come back stronger
Experts everywhere
True he is a likeable kid who fights hard and is only getting the right training latley, I think Connor has met his match but with a bit of luck he can do it. Saying that it’s been a silly move to jump up so high in weight but at least there is nothing on the line,
“The right training lately”? Explain please…
Sorry about the delay just spotted email the right training as in financial support for diet, nutrition, performance enhancers!!! physio, training, facilities, more committed team around Proper RnR. What a top athlete would expect to have or gaa team.
The Diaz’s have been living the fight life for 10+ yrs and we’re way ahead in training for MMA, if anything others are just catching up. Look for fightlife documentary, it features Nick but will give you a feel for the training. Think its from about 4 yrs ago The one thing they probably haven’t got is proper RnR!!
I don’t get the love for Diaz. The man hasn’t got two brain cells to rub together and has no personality.
That’s cos we don’t all base our opinions of people on their perceived intellectual capabilities. For example, I think it’s possible that you might be a sound enough chap…
He’s down to earth and along with his elder brother Nick they tell it as it is whether it annoys Dana or not. Sure he’s not the most intelligent bloke but his fight IQ is second to none. His lack of brain cells also helps him in a weird way when McGregor tries to talk trash about him. He simply doesn’t comprehend or care what McGregor says and leading up to the last fight, McGregor was arguably the most rattled with Diaz’s responses hoping for Diaz to get angry and emotionally invested in the fight like Aldo did last year.
@The Guru:what a Muppet crawl under ur rock or have a fat blunt mate u need it
He fights for weed
Along with his bongs, I’d say that’s free
Of coarse they want him too loose. There business men and mcgregor is a magnet for money. But why soes he care they cant influnce the outcome.