One judge had it down as a draw, the other two gave it to Conor McGregor.
The long wait for the sequel to McGregor vs Nate Diaz was certainly worth the wait as the two warriors engaged in an epic battle for the ages, which the Notorious just about edged.
McGregor dominated the first round by cutting Diaz down with heavy leg kicks and hammering him up top with heavy haymakers.
WATCH: Conor McGregor on crutches following epic war against Nate Diaz #UFC202 https://t.co/rNdC3ve0AA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2016
The second stanza was a tale of two halfs with McGregor dropping the Stockton native twice early on, but with his energy levels sapping, Diaz fought back strongly to finish strong before dominating the third round.
The weary warriors kept cracking each other for the final two rounds and the general consensus was that McGregor took the penultimate round, while the final one was Diaz’s.
Nate Diaz: Outlanded McGregor 166-164 in significant strikes according to @FightMetric
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 21, 2016
McGregor was handed the majority decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-47), but after the fight, Diaz was adamant that he had done enough to win.
“I thought I win that fight. They can’t have a motherfucker like me winning. I’m too real for this sport. They’re going to get me out when they can, but it’s all good though.”
Diaz claimed he was injured going into this fight, which had hindered his training. He admitted that he would be more willing to take McGregor up on his offer and complete the trilogy with the score levelled at one win apiece.
“I came into this fight worse off than last time. I didn’t train, I had an injury. Fuck that! I didn’t make excuses, but he should have finished me off. I want number three. I gave him number two the second time. So I’m ready to go again, fuck yeah!”
“Hey, we’re going number three. Fuck yeah. Good job today, Conor, but we’re going for three. For real.”
And Nate wasn’t the only one who thought that he should have went 2-0 in the series after UFC 202.
https://twitter.com/superCalo/status/767226259281616898
Here are the stats. I'm still thinking Nate should have won. #UFC202 #NateDiaz #ConorMcGregor pic.twitter.com/C6FPOfay8a
— evolvedMMA.com (@Evolved_MMA) August 21, 2016
When all the REAL MMA FIGHTERS are saying Nate won…that says ALOT! #UFC202
— mash (@Mashmattatoe) August 21, 2016
i give conor credit for eating those shots but i think nate won fight .
— Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) August 21, 2016
Massive Mayo v Tipperary preview plus a big interview with Eamon McGee in the latest GAA Hour.Subscribe here on iTunes.
