Conor McGregor had responses for just about anything Nate Diaz had to say on Thursday at the final UFC 196 pre-fight press conference, and he got in a few choice lines when it came to the big money aspect of this fight.
Diaz, who said the only difference in main eventing his first pay-per-view event is the size of the paycheck, tried to say McGregor got a pay bump when he came on in place of Rafael dos Anjos, but he was quickly rebuked.
“Don’t talk about money, you’re broke,” McGregor quipped (transcribed by MMAFighting.com). “I could easily switch you up now and put you back on that 20 and 20 if you want. All I want is a thank you or even a little dance. Even a little dance. Dance for me, Nate. Dance for me. And don’t look me in the eye when you dance.”
Diaz also claimed that he made the call on the fight being at 170 lbs., saying he was calling the shots, once again receiving a quick quip back from the Featherweight Champion.
“You don’t make any calls,” McGregor said. “You only answer the calls. That’s it.”
Penick’s Analysis: I doubt there was actually any change to things for McGregor financially here, as he was already the big money earner for the card. Diaz is getting the kind of payday he’s always wanted, which is fantastic for him and was the right move from the UFC all the way, but no matter the kind of control he wants to place over how this has played out, it’s just not there. He’s stepping up, but this simply isn’t his show.
[Photo (c) Gary A. Vasquez via USA Today Sports]
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