McGregor vs Diaz (Photo : Getty Images)
After stunning outcomes at the UFC 196 this weekend, MMA fans have been throwing questions and speculations on what would be the next move for Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.
The UFC 196 this weekend was filled with shocking results and the main event was not an exemption after Diaz pulled off a stunner over McGregor in front of an Irish-filled MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
It was a non-title bout for McGregor, whose ambition to hold two UFC title belts simultaneously has been foiled by Diaz, who suddenly finds himself in the limelight of the MMA world. Now that the heat of the fight is over, what could be the next step for the "Notorious" and the long-time lightweight fighter?
McGregor was initially set to fight lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos before a foot injury forced the Brazilian to withdraw from the fight. With the Irish fighter losing against Diaz at welterweight, there is not much of a sense for McGregor to continue chasing history by fighting heavier opponents.
According to Gareth A Davies of the Telegraph, "Mystic Mac" has been forced to reconsider to stay put in the featherweight division, where McGregor blossomed as the company's biggest draw. While McGregor did not directly say he will return to fighting at 145 pounds, he did admit that fighting a heavier man in Diaz proved too much.
"It is what it is. I was fighting a heavier man," McGregor said. "He could take a shot and remain in your face."
The 27-year-old Dubliner hinted he would probably fight again at UFC 200 against an unknown opponent. According to Brian Knapp of Sherdog, one matchup to consider is McGregor taking on Frankie Edgar for the featherweight title belt.
Edgar has won five straight fights, including a scintillating knockout victory over Chad Mendes at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale in December last year. Not only would a match intrigue fans, but it would also put McGregor back to his comfort zone, where he had won 15 straight bouts.
Meanwhile, Diaz is primed for a better profile at the lightweight division, and could very well get a title shot against Dos Anjos after earning the best win of his career.
"(McGregor) has had a lot of help behind him," Diaz said, reports USA Today. "I wish I had the same push, the same help, I have being doing this a long time. I think it is time."
Diaz got defeated by Dos Anjos in 2014 at UFC on Fox 13, where the Brazilian champ won via a third round unanimous decision.
But according to MMA Junkie's Joe Silva, Diaz should be up for a fight against Anthony Pettis as the Californian fighter had an intriguing history with "Showtime." The bad blood between Diaz and Pettis runs deep and a fight would certainly sell for fans, especially with the latter bursting into the scene of fame.
Another possible option for Diaz is a title bout against welterweight champ Robbie Lawler, which UFC president Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta described as a fight that would "make sense," reports SB Nation. However, White did mention he is not making the fight, although Fertitta liked the idea of Lawler defending his title against Diaz.
