Conor McGregor really wants that last loss back, there’s no doubt about that.
McGregor made it clear on Sunday that he has his focused firmly set on a do-over bout against Nate Diaz for his next trip to the Octagon. His call for a rematch came after the initial second bout was scrapped from UFC 200’s main event due to the Notorious refusing to show up for the media obligations for the event as it clashed with his training camp in Iceland.
As all this chaos was ensuing, Diaz announced that he’d be taking a holiday. This plan was subsequently put on hold as photos emerged of him training alongside his brother Nick with action movie legend Jean-Claude Van Damme. These images were noteworthy because of the sheer size Nate looked in comparison to the “Muscles from Brussels”.
One brave Twitter user decided that the Notorious should consider the photos as a warning, that he has no business fighting Diaz again at welterweight and he should drop back down to 145 lb to defend his belt for his next fight. McGregor disagreed.
I love it! Adapt and overcome.
I am coming in light and lean for my rematch and I will school this boy to the bell. https://t.co/MjEwxokIYK— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
No. Last time I was eating four breakfasts and a dessert on the day of weigh in.
You will see.
You will all see. https://t.co/zfhFLEqEcA— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
Another keyboard warrior had the gall to send an offensive message to the man himself calling his ground game into question. Although Diaz did force the tap from the Dubliner in UFC 196’s main event, it was really the Stockton native’s stand-up that won him the fight.
McGregor admitted after the fight that a body shot did the damage before that straight up top rocked him again. It was after this that Diaz used his BJJ prowess to lock in the rear-naked choke. Up until that point, McGregor had been holding his own against Diaz, and he made sure to mention that stunning sweep he pulled off in the opening round to back up his point.
On the floor he was swept and controlled.
When the tank goes, no amount of skill can save you.
You will see. https://t.co/vJP4k4qzwX— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
McGregor had an answer for the cardio question as well. He confessed that he respects Diaz, as he does any endurance athlete. However, he firmly believes their rematch will have a very different outcome.
I respect the endurance athlete. A game of will.
But those who simply take part, will always be taken over. https://t.co/bysnazDaAT— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
He has made more excuses for the first 8 minutes of our fight than I have made for the last 2 minutes of our fight. https://t.co/pukpqnF1YJ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
When asked if he thinks UFC 200 will sell anything close to the 1.5 million PPV buys that UFC 196 did, McGregor gave a resounding no before making an outrageous claim about what numbers the card could have done with his inclusion. He reckons it could have rivaled the 4.4 million PPV buys that Mayweather v Pacquaio managed if he was still in the headliner.
I do not. I had the May/Pac record primed, ready to place MMA at the undisputed top. But it was not to be. #Press https://t.co/rmCxw6DX7y
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 2, 2016
