McGregor, Diaz Meet in Vegas Before UFC 202 Fight
McGregor, Diaz Meet in Vegas Before UFC 202 Fight
LAS VEGAS--The most highly anticipated fight of 2016 is just around the corner. Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are preparing for their rematch at UFC 202. The
LAS VEGAS--The most highly anticipated fight of 2016 is just around the corner.
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are preparing for their rematch at UFC 202. The road to their second showdown has been nothing short of rocky, but the contracts are signed and the two superstars will have their second go on Aug. 20.
McGregor publicly beefed with the UFC over media obligations, which led to him being pulled from the main event at UFC 200. Diaz decided the McGregor fight was the only one he wanted, and set about his vacation plans. The UFC and McGregor eventually settled their issues, and the bout with Diaz was booked in the main event of UFC 202.
On Thursday afternoon, both Diaz and McGregor attended a press conference to promote the event in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Arena. While the event lacked the verbal firepower the two fighters have shown in the past, it was nothing short of memorable as audio problems wreaked havoc.
True to form, McGregor took the spotlight, and here is a rundown of highlights from the press conference:
Conor on Jon Jones getting pulled from UFC 200 main event--the spot McGregor was originally intended for.
“I can’t sit up here and say well well well. I’m a successful human beings and successful human beings do not celebrate in the misfortune of others. I wish Jon well.
“All I missed was a press conference. It is what it is. Aug 20 is my date and it’s the real UFC 200.”
Conor on the rematch with Diaz
“I’m looking forward to it. The last contest was a great fight. I will come in correct, prepared and sharp. I’ll take this man out.”
Conor on how his preparation will be different for this fight
“I simply prepared a little bit more specific. Usually I don’t prepare for a specific opponent because many of my opponents pull out. This time I’m prepared for a tall, lanky, ugly Mexican southpaw. I’ll put this man away that’s it.
“What kind of fighter would I be if I lost a contest against a specific contest and said, ‘I’ll get you next time. Cut the weight and I’ll get you there.’ This is the weight the fight is at.
“I’ve been sparring with bigger men. This time I’m going to be prepared for the size and weight better than I was the first time.
“There was a lot of stuff going on. I witnessed a tragedy inside the cage and it affected my whole team. We just wanted to get out, get away and focus on doing what we love--training and studying mixed martial arts.”
Conor on a future return to featherweight
“I giggle when they try to take that credit from me. They try to say he’s not cutting weight and all this bullshit. Make no mistake I’m the UFC 145-pound champion. That’s my division. That’s the division I destroyed. I’m the world champion at that weight and I’ll continue to dominate that division. I have other business I have to finish first, but 145 and 155 are my divisions.
“Real fighters respect real fighters. I appreciate that he held out for me, but at the same time he played it safe. He turned down lightweight belt and other fights. That’s a smart move so why not? He’s not taking the risks I’m willing to take.”
Conor on beef with the UFC
“I would have communicated a little bit better. I messed up there. I think if I would have reached out man to man and not done it in public things would have played out better. I played it wrong but so did they. I feel like I’ve done a lot for them. I carried 2015 on my back. There’s a 4.2 billion price tag on this company and I’m part of the reason. I’ve put that behind him though and I’m focused on the contest I’m about to compete in.
“I’m the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC history. People think UFC 100 did bigger numbers than my last fight but it didn’t. I think this card will do good numbers but it certainly won’t take UFC 196 out of the top spot.
Conor on a trilogy fight with Diaz
“I feel we’ll have a trilogy. Why not? It was a great fight the last time and I really enjoyed it. I’ll correct that win and reclaim this. Those featherweights are praying I don’t come back. I love how they are saying I won’t come back like I can’t make the weight. I’ve never missed weight in my life. I’m gonna beat Nate, go back and dominate my division and then we’ll have the trilogy fight.
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are preparing for their rematch at UFC 202. The road to their second showdown has been nothing short of rocky, but the contracts are signed and the two superstars will have their second go on Aug. 20.
McGregor publicly beefed with the UFC over media obligations, which led to him being pulled from the main event at UFC 200. Diaz decided the McGregor fight was the only one he wanted, and set about his vacation plans. The UFC and McGregor eventually settled their issues, and the bout with Diaz was booked in the main event of UFC 202.
On Thursday afternoon, both Diaz and McGregor attended a press conference to promote the event in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Arena. While the event lacked the verbal firepower the two fighters have shown in the past, it was nothing short of memorable as audio problems wreaked havoc.
True to form, McGregor took the spotlight, and here is a rundown of highlights from the press conference:
Conor on Jon Jones getting pulled from UFC 200 main event--the spot McGregor was originally intended for.
“I can’t sit up here and say well well well. I’m a successful human beings and successful human beings do not celebrate in the misfortune of others. I wish Jon well.
“All I missed was a press conference. It is what it is. Aug 20 is my date and it’s the real UFC 200.”
Conor on the rematch with Diaz
“I’m looking forward to it. The last contest was a great fight. I will come in correct, prepared and sharp. I’ll take this man out.”
Conor on how his preparation will be different for this fight
“I simply prepared a little bit more specific. Usually I don’t prepare for a specific opponent because many of my opponents pull out. This time I’m prepared for a tall, lanky, ugly Mexican southpaw. I’ll put this man away that’s it.
“What kind of fighter would I be if I lost a contest against a specific contest and said, ‘I’ll get you next time. Cut the weight and I’ll get you there.’ This is the weight the fight is at.
“I’ve been sparring with bigger men. This time I’m going to be prepared for the size and weight better than I was the first time.
“There was a lot of stuff going on. I witnessed a tragedy inside the cage and it affected my whole team. We just wanted to get out, get away and focus on doing what we love--training and studying mixed martial arts.”
Conor on a future return to featherweight
“I giggle when they try to take that credit from me. They try to say he’s not cutting weight and all this bullshit. Make no mistake I’m the UFC 145-pound champion. That’s my division. That’s the division I destroyed. I’m the world champion at that weight and I’ll continue to dominate that division. I have other business I have to finish first, but 145 and 155 are my divisions.
“Real fighters respect real fighters. I appreciate that he held out for me, but at the same time he played it safe. He turned down lightweight belt and other fights. That’s a smart move so why not? He’s not taking the risks I’m willing to take.”
Conor on beef with the UFC
“I would have communicated a little bit better. I messed up there. I think if I would have reached out man to man and not done it in public things would have played out better. I played it wrong but so did they. I feel like I’ve done a lot for them. I carried 2015 on my back. There’s a 4.2 billion price tag on this company and I’m part of the reason. I’ve put that behind him though and I’m focused on the contest I’m about to compete in.
“I’m the biggest pay-per-view draw in UFC history. People think UFC 100 did bigger numbers than my last fight but it didn’t. I think this card will do good numbers but it certainly won’t take UFC 196 out of the top spot.
Conor on a trilogy fight with Diaz
“I feel we’ll have a trilogy. Why not? It was a great fight the last time and I really enjoyed it. I’ll correct that win and reclaim this. Those featherweights are praying I don’t come back. I love how they are saying I won’t come back like I can’t make the weight. I’ve never missed weight in my life. I’m gonna beat Nate, go back and dominate my division and then we’ll have the trilogy fight.