Is anyone really surprised?
We saw a strange transformation in Conor McGregor at UFC 196. Despite his physique being more hulking at welterweight, the behemoth personality shriveled up into a hushed figure after that humbling submission loss to Nate Diaz.
McGregor was quiet but not still – his unwavering focus intact.
The featherweight champion dealt with suffering his first UFC loss like a consummate professional, immediately proclaiming his respect for Diaz. However, he also gave what could be perceived as a warning to the vultures that were circling ready to pick apart his carcass, those who were already sweeping up the shards of his supposedly shattered myth.
“These things happen. I learn. I grow. It is what it is. I’ll face it like a man, like a champion. I’ll come back and do it again.”
Defeat’s putrid taste is not a new flavour for McGregor’s refined palette. Although, with the reports suggesting that McGregor v Diaz II will go down at UFC 200, this time he seems to be taking a more calculated, mature approach to losing, even if it doesn’t seem that way on the face of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkjwIZhT5hg
Shortly after Joseph Duffy forced the tap with that lightning quick arm-triangle choke at Cage Warriors 39, the then- 22-year-old rising lightweight opted for a change of scenery. Rather than try to hang with the slightly bigger boys at 155, the plucky young Dubliner went back to square one and began building a legacy at featherweight.
This change in weight divisions so soon after such a devastating loss could be seen as indicative of a fighter who’s hurting from defeat. Ultimately, McGregor did return to lightweight and subsequently became a dual champion for Cage Warriors but some argued that McGregor was taking the easier option with smaller, less powerful fighters with the initial drop.
There’s no way actual evidence that backs these speculative arguments up, but the logic behind them is clear to see. By facing Diaz at welterweight again as his follow-up fight to UFC 196, McGregor has the chance to make silence the doubters this time around.
https://twitter.com/Pendred/status/687036348084154369
The Diaz loss took some of the mystique off McGregor’s most dangerous weapon – his mental warfare.
Suddenly, his detractors could argue that he doesn’t always back up the talk.
This atmosphere of intimidation he’s cultivated through making bold predictions and antagonising opponents with trash talk may have been damaged. Prospective opponents had an answer for his insults – he lost, he tapped, he showed weakness.
McGregor has adopted Georges St-Pierre’s method of reacting to an upset loss. After he was rendered unconscious by Matt Serra, GSP fought his way back to title contention and comprehensively proved that he was the rightful heir to the 170lb throne. He removed all possible doubts over who was the better martial artist. Should he get his rematch at UFC 200, McGregor has the opportunity to do likewise.
The decision to move up two weight classes was a ballsy one, and one that sent a message out to the entire roster.
Dana White confirmed he would have fought Robbie Lawler for the welterweight strap at UFC 200. Such is his star power that with that one win, he would have been a champion in one division, and the number one contender in the next two up. Everyone from 145 to 170 would be campaigning for their own red panty night.
However, McGregor coming up short left fans and fighters alike who doubted his abilities at 170 feeling vindicated.
The threat that this featherweight was coming in to jump the queue and take everything they’ve ever worked for had vanished. With a full camp to prepare this time, and a long time spent ruminating over where he went wrong at UFC 196, McGregor’s in the best position possible to get that win back.
IT'S ALL OVER!!!
Diaz submits @TheNotoriousMMA in Round 2! #UFC196 https://t.co/CAFnZzxXvq— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 6, 2016
The gamble for McGregor is obvious. A second straight loss to Diaz would likely mean that we’d never see him fight at welterweight again. However, a dominant victory would allow him to essentially erase that first loss and reassert his stance as the most intimidating presence in the UFC’s roster – the warrior who’s willing to fight anyone at any time at any weight.
In this regard, it’s easy to see why he’d prefer this match-up than defending his belt against Frankie Edgar. If Diaz v McGregor II gets booked for UFC 200, we could be look back on UFC 196 as a minor hiccup that brought the sport’s biggest star’s momentum to a brief halt, or the night it the Notorious’ ceiling was finally found.
