LAS VEGAS, Nevada – August 20, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada will be electric as one of the biggest rematches in UFC history will take place.
The rematch is between former lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz and UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor.
Their first battle took place at UFC 196. It was a last second pairing as McGregor was expected to challenge then UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos, but dos Anjos pulled out due to a broken foot only 11 days before the event.
Diaz replaced Dos Anjos and the bout was shifted to the welterweight division. Diaz took a pounding in the first round and was busted open. Diaz showed his heart and willingness to fight however and came with a vengeance in the second round using his very effective jab. McGregor got caught with a few shots and Diaz capitalized. Diaz would go on to win the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round. It was a shocking upset as McGregor had looked invincible until that night.
The fans have been waiting for this match for a long time, but a crazy set of circumstances caused the original UFC 200 rematch date to be canceled. Everything would chang during mid-April, as a disagreement between McGregor and the UFC, regarding his media schedule, led to his removal from the event and Conor threatening retirement.
The bad blood remains between these two as Wednesdays press conference turned into a junior high cafeteria fight as both men flung water bottles and energy drinks at each other. The maturity level may not be very high between the pair, but the anger is.
In the end, McGregor has been obsessed with beating Diaz since there fight back in March. McGregor needs to win this match to save his reputation. I think he will, with a 5 round blood bath for both men decision.
A bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challengers Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixeira will serve as the co-main event. It has been confirmed by current light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier that the winner of this will now get the next shot at the title as former champion Johnny Bones Jones is on suspension for two years due to drugs.
Both men pose a serious threat to DC’s title as they both pack powerful fists and a decent ground game. I see this one going the way of Rumble Johnson, he has been on an incredible role since his move to Light Heavyweight. Johnson has won 11 of 12 since moving to light heavyweight after a checkered career at Welterweight that saw him constantly miss weight. Johnsons only loss during that stretch was to DC. I do believe he will get another chance at the champ after putting way Glover with a few first round knockout Saturday night.
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