Honorary Irishman Gunnar Nelson is backing his SBG teammate to reclaim his one UFC loss in style.
In the main event of UFC 196, Nate Diaz took everything Conor McGregor was able to throw at him like a piece of iron, fired back some shots of his own and eventually got the second round submission victory.
However, Gunnar Nelson told the Daily Star that he believes a rematch, which is looking likely for UFC 200, would go very differently.
“I think he will take his time and pick him apart a bit better. I think Diaz won’t be able to get him down when Conor is on, and he reserves his energy and his balance is there.”
Nate Diaz has only been finished twice in his career, suffering a submission loss to Hermes Franca nearly a decade ago and being knocked out by Josh Thomson in 2013 after eating a head kick that could have leveled a small village.
Despite his toughness being one of his most powerful weapons, Nelson believes McGregor can finish Diaz, but only if he gets his tactics right.
“I think the second (fight) Conor will pick him apart, but I think he’ll take a little bit more time doing it. Diaz is a tough guy and he’s used to being in there, but he (McGregor) should’ve put him away. But I think he can if he takes his time.”
