Nate Diaz won the lottery when he was picked as the late replacement opponent for Conor McGregor at UFC 196. Original opponent Rafael Dos Anjos backed out just last week due to a broken foot and although more than one opponent was discussed, Diaz was eventually chosen to take the fight. McGregor is the biggest draw in the UFC and a fight with Nate Diaz was the ‘Money Fight’ to make:
At the press-conference for UFC 196, Nate Diaz explained to the media the circumstance around him finally getting the fight with McGregor:
“They asked me to fight and I said yes — from the beginning,” Diaz said. “So whatever problems they had, I don’t know. But I came ready to fight. Any weight class, it didn’t matter. There was no hesitation on my part. I was ready to rock the whole time. I said it a few months ago.”
The initial hold up could have been more of a financial one than a weight one. McGregor said he told the UFC to give Diaz what he was asking for.
“They gave me a f*ckload of money and you know what I said?” Diaz said. “I said, ‘I want more of that sh*t.’ How about that, motherf*cker? Think I’m taking some fight, f*ck that. Pay me. But they called me, I didn’t ask.”
Conor Mcgregor will fight Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 196, which takes Saturday, March 5th in Las Vegas, NV and will air exclusively on PPV.
In this promo that aired on Fight Pass, the history of Diaz’s desire to fight McGregor unfolds as well as some of what happened at the press conference:
About Conor McGregor
Whether you appreciate his style or consider him loud and excessive, there’s no denying this about Conor McGregor: the UFC has seen nothing like him.
In the two years since he swooped into the UFC, McGregor has become a lightning rod for controversy. But he has backed up his braggadocio with skilled MMA and an ability to draw fans – most to cheer him, some hoping to see him cut down to size.
At UFC 189 in Las Vegas, he made good on a vow to knock out Chad Mendes, capturing the interim featherweight title and setting up a showdown with Jose Aldo, the UFC’s pound-for-pound king.
McGregor’s impressive rise in the UFC took place in a little over two years. It was almost impossible not to notice him after he knocked out Diego Brandao on UFC Fight Night Dublin in July 2014, then spectacularly announced, We’re not here to take part. We’re here to take over.
source/more: ufc.com
More about Nate Diaz
TRAINING: A typical day starts with a good run. Afterwards I spar either boxing or kickboxing. Later I work jiu-jitsu and takedowns. I lift weights late at night and try to eat as healthy as possible.
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training when I was younger just because I didn’t have much else to do, and that’s what my brother (Nick Diaz) did. I just went to the gym with him, he started fighting in the UFC, and I wanted to help him win fights so I did everything I could. I put on the gloves and sparred with him, and before I knew it I was getting a fight of my own.
What ranks and titles have you held? Black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner
source/more: ufc.com
