McGregor vs Diaz (Photo : UFC)
Nate Diaz (Photo : FightHubTV)
After news broke of reigning UFC lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos suffering a broken foot injury that would cause him to pull out of his main event bout against Conor "Notorious" McGregor at UFC 196, a mad dash was well in place to find a suitable replacement.
The UFC found just the guy to replace dos Anjos, and he's wanted the fight with McGregor since the Irishman's stunning knockout victory over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
Lightweight veteran Nate Diaz (18-10) will go five rounds with McGregor (19-2) on March 5, at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada in the headliner of UFC 196, replacing UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
The fight however, will not take place at lightweight as originally planned but rather, at welterweight due to the short-notice nature of the contest.
McGregor had no qualms about moving up two weight divisions to welterweight to take the fight.
Apart from Diaz, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis were also shortlisted though Cerrone had just competed last weekend.
The co-main event of the card features the unbeaten UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (10-0) taking on Miesha "Cupcake" Tate (17-5).
Holm lifted the world title from Ronda Rousey back in November, stopping Rousey with a well-placed head kick and follow up hammer fists to deal the American judoka her first loss.
