Conor McGregor vows he’ll defeat Nate Diaz in their upcoming rematch
Conor McGregor expressed confidence Friday that he will avenge his prior loss to Nate Diaz when they fight again on August 20 in Las Vegas.
“I’m fighting middleweights every day [in training],” McGregor said in a UFC 202 conference call with Diaz. “I’ve put in the work so hard -- rounds on rounds in the cage and ring. Nothing will break me. I’ve been preparing for this since the night I lost.”
McGregor’s machismo was at play in late February when he accepted a late replacement fight against Diaz on March 5 at welterweight – 25 pounds greater than the weight class where McGregor resides as UFC featherweight champion.
After blasting Diaz with some first-round punches, McGregor was struck in the head by Diaz’s blows early in the second round. And the impact of the heavier punches and toll of McGregor carrying the extra weight was seen when Diaz won by submission later in the second round.
McGregor met with UFC officials that night and demanded a rematch with Diaz.
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“This fight is going to be a spectacular contest,” McGregor said. “I gave up opportunities for this. That should tell you how much this fight means to me. … I’ve had experienced people push me daily. I’m a kid who came from nothing and went all the … way. There’s a lot of [babies] in this game. How I’ll be remembered is as a guy who showed up every single time.”
McGregor said he hasn’t put much thought into what will happen after the Diaz fight.
UFC President Dana White said McGregor will be obligated to return to featherweight for a rematch with former featherweight champion Jose Aldo. But McGregor said he’d be interested in completing a trilogy with Diaz.
Diaz and McGregor both took delight in the fact that the UFC was sold for $4 billion last month.
Diaz expressed satisfaction that he’s part of one of the UFC’s most interesting rivalries. It’s a contrast between the fast-witted, quick-talking Irishman and the street-hardened, anti-authority rebel, Diaz said.
“If I’m going to fight, it’s going to be a big-deal fight,” Diaz said. “Conor was the biggest draw. If I have a big fight, I will fight...
“They wanted the [rematch] fight to happen. I was going to get that money regardless. I knew that’s what they wanted.”
McGregor said he, too, has let the UFC know he understands he’s empowered to promote himself, not just the company.
McGregor’s refusal to attend a news conference for July’s UFC 200 event got his rematch with Diaz pushed back to August.
“I’m my own news now, a promotional machine,” McGregor said. “I don’t have to be on a talk show where no one knows anything about the sport. … I wanted to disengage from some of what they were asking.
“I’m the don.”
Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire
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