Nate Diaz is unfazed with Conor McGregor's call of winning via knockout in the second round at UFC 202. (Photo : Getty Images/Rey Del Rio)
Nate Diaz is headed to UFC 202 with the same level of confidence, brushing aside the psyche job UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has been doing the past weeks. The rematch will give “The Notorious” a chance at redemption with Diaz keeping his composure.
Diaz was hardly moved by McGregor’s insinuations of redeeming himself. That includes a forecast of winning the rematch via second round knockout. As far as Diaz is concerned, McGregor is technically lying to himself, MMA Junkie reported.
The pressure will be on McGregor this Saturday as he tries to take back that UFC 196 loss. To recall, McGregor succumbed to a second round submission to Diaz who came in as a last-minute replacement.
McGregor was originally scheduled to face Rafael Dos Anjos before the latter pulled out due to a foot injury. Despite being ill-prepared, Diaz shocked everyone with that shock win.
“The Notorious” has come up with different excuses to explain the loss. That included preparing for the wrong opponent as well as weight-related issues. With ample time to prepare, McGregor may have no more excuses and hence man up in his rematch with Diaz.
Unlike McGregor, Diaz is approaching the rematch conservatively. Cutting it short, he will be emerging to engage McGregor inside the Octagon and do the necessary grappling and/or kicking associated with his mixed martial arts craft.
McGregor spent a fortune preparing for Diaz, something that reportedly cost him $300,000, ESPN reported. The Irishman has shown that he is dialed in though the 31-year-old Diaz knows he holds an advantage with the UFC 196 win.
One thing that puzzles him is how he became a monstrous heavyweight against McGregor. The answer is apparently the win he pulled off despite the short notice. Come Saturday, Diaz is not making any forecasts like his opponent.
Diaz plans to come out, trade blows and see how the fight turns out. From that alone, he is showing how loose he is with nothing much to prove. Another victory may as well send McGregor back to the featherweight division where fighters like Jose Aldo are aching to get payback as well.
Check out the video as Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz kick off the fireworks for their showdown at UFC 202.
