“An epic comeback fight.”
More than a few head were being scratched when news broke that a rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz was set to headline the bumper card for this summer’s UFC 200 event in Las Vegas.
McGregor had been expected to defend his featherweight belt against either Jose Aldo or Frankie Edgar following his defeat by Diaz at UFC 196, but it continues to look like the Dubliner will remain at 170lbs in a bid to avenge his sole loss under the UFC banner.
But initial surprise about McGregor-Diaz II has given way to increasing excitement about the contest, which will allow McGregor a first full training camp at the higher weight and give Diaz a full training camp full stop.
And count Firas Zahabi, trainer at the Tristar gym that is home to welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre and former 170lb title challenger Rory MacDonald, among those eager to see how a second instalment of the rivalry will pan out.
“That’s an incredible match-up,” Zahabi told the MMA Hour. “If it ends early, it’s Conor, if it doesn’t, which I don’t think it will, I give it a 65 or 70 per cent chance it goes to the later rounds and I think Nate takes it.
“It’s an epic comeback fight – can Conor make the adjustments he needs, he was doing so well in round one, but then again Nate showed that he could take that left hand. Is there anything else that could stop Nate? I don’t know. Nate’s volume is too much.
“But I want to tune in to find out, no matter what.”
