“Surprise, surprise, motherf#ck@rs! The king is back!”
The fighting Irishman displayed a familiar level of brash bravado once again. And rightfully so.
When commentator Joe Rogan caught McGregor’s shoulder signaling the start of the post-fight interview, spectators cannot help but sense the overwhelming relief of the night’s victor.
“It’s one and one. Regroup, boy, and let’s do it again. This time at 155. I came up to 170, faced the bigger man, overcame my adversity. Now if you want a trilogy, it’s on my terms. Come back down to 155 and let’s do it!”
'The Notorious' Conor McGregor waltzed a second time with a dangerous partner in Nate Diaz. This time the Irishman gained the win after a hard-fought match that could be considered as the year’s greatest.
Diaz, 19-11, is a boxer and a jiu jitsu expert. His long-reach and volume punching deny his foe a second to catch a breath. When taken down, his opponent enters a dangerous game of chess in which chokes and locks can come out of nowhere if extreme caution is not exercised.
His durability, too, is second to none. While many can knock him down, only an elite few can actually finish Diaz. The moment blood runs down his face is the moment we know Nate Diaz is going to punish the fighter standing opposite to him.
That was exactly how the Stockton, California native claimed glory in the first outing. Nate Diaz stopped Conor McGregor via rear naked choke that came after he withstood the initial salvo by the fighting pride of Ireland.
“Win or Learn,” exclaimed John Kavanagh, the head coach of McGregor. A dictum he and his protegé took to heart.
The initial meeting
In the first contest held in MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas (03/05), Conor displayed explosive attacks and relentless pressure. His left hand continuously found its target and bloodied the American. Diaz trailed backwards for the entirety of the first round.
