Nate Diaz beat Conor McGregor earlier this month at UFC 196 after taking the fight on 11 days notice. Out of fighting shape and competing at 170 lbs., Diaz took McGregor’s best through a round and a half before taking him out in the second.
Now, there’s talk of a rematch coming at UFC 200. It’s a fight Diaz is more than willing to take again, but this time around, he wants it at lightweight.
“It’s a real fight. People want to see it,” Diaz said on Wednesday’s UFC Tonight program on Fox Sports 1. “When you get a real fight, people appreciate it. If he wants it and UFC wants it, let’s run it back. If not, whatever. I’m here to fight the best fighters in the world.
“If there’s a second fight, I’ll fight at [155 lbs]. I’d like to be in shape. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear no excuses. I’ll make 55. I was planning on making 55 last time.”
Penick’s Analysis: It’s still not the right fight given McGregor’s unfinished business at featherweight, but if it’s going to happen, putting it at lightweight is much more palatable than a nonsensical welterweight fight. Hopefully that’s what happens if they’re insistent on putting it together. If McGregor doesn’t want to go back to featherweight for now, lightweight’s where he should be, and fighting Diaz a second time to avenge that loss would be reasonable at that weight class.
[Photo (c) Mark J. Rebilas via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply