UFC 202: Rematch of a Lifetime McGregor vs Diaz 2.0
When Gerard Gordeu, a karate champion from Hague stepped in the ring with Hawaiian sumo wrestler Teila Tuli in the very first televised fight in UFC. Gordeu proved that mixed-martial-arts is one son of a bit**ch sport; that the fabled square-circle is unpredictable and faithful to none, that anything can happen inside the octagon. Ceded over by two hundred pounds of astronomical weight, Gordeau kicked Tuli in the face in just twenty seconds to slay his giantly figure on the mat. The entire arena exploded with voracious uproars. And this has become a part of company’s lore ever since, a setup foreground for the course of history in the UFC.
Diaz and McGregor’s first encounter from UFC 196 inherited the traits of this fight in measures of unpredictability and grandeur. Conor McGregor, the current UFC Featherweight Champion was at the zenith of his highly scandalized MMA career when he won the interim title at UFC 189. He later held the undisputed championship in the main event of UFC 194. McGregor had mainly competed under the lightweight and featherweight division. He was slated to face Rafael dos Anjos for UFC Lighweight Championship in company’s third inter-weight division title match. However, Anjos declined to defend his title against McGregor due to an injury and pulled out of the event.
Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 1.0
In an unexpected move McGregor jumped two weight classes to make his welterweight debut against The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz. In a grueling fight featuring numerous big shots, and bad cuts around the eyes. Diaz wearied out his opponent to induce a panic shot take down. Only to put a reversal to sink McGregor in the signature naked choke for the tap.
McGregor’s decision lead to his downfall, despite a strong start in which he rocked Diaz several times with punches, he tasted defeat for the first time.
McGregor blamed eating too much steak for the loss and would even allegedly retire from MMA after a post-match friction. However, as the tenacity calmed and both sides mutually consented to an agreement, the featherweight champion announced his obsession for a rematch against his arch-nemesis Nate Diaz. Dana White, UFC President sometime later announced that Diaz and McGregor would compete in the main-event of UFC 202. It has been described as one of the most sought after rematches in MMA history, second only to Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir.
What happens in Vegas, wouldn’t stay in Vegas in UFC 202
John Kavanagh, McGregor’s coach however believes that Vegas would be a completely different ball game. ‘Even though Conor connected quite a few times with strikes that put away people in the past, Nate was able to keep walking forward’, he said. ‘That has been a major part of the camp this time, being more efficient and picking shots a lot better’.
For an obsession-driven McGregor it is about seeking vengeance and proving why he is The Proud Notorious. But, for Diaz it is about proving his win was not a fluke. And that he is a worthy main event material. What happens in Vegas, wouldn’t stay in Vegas this time when the two collide in a colossal clash of titans.