nate diaz 209 rescue

With lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos out of UFC 196 with a broken foot Stockton brawler and fan favorite Nate Diaz has stepped up on less than two weeks notice to fight Conor McGregor at 170-pounds (welterweight). That was the agreed upon weight due to the short notice.

Reports indicate other fighters were offered to take the fight against McGregor but they turned it down. And some others volunteered, but in the end, the UFC went with what should be the most exciting fight they could make and many fans likely prefer this matchup over McGregor-RDA anyway, although to see the Irishman potentially capture two titles was enthralling.

The betting odds for the McGregor vs. Diaz fight are already out:

Conor McGregor -370
Nate Diaz +310

Especially considering the short notice, those odds seems legit. McGregor should also be given credit for fighting Diaz at 170-pounds because let’s keep in mind the guy holds the 145-pound title. It seems crazy we’ve even gotten to this point but here we are. The MMA gods have intervened, sidelining the champ and putting together two of the most polarizing and entertaining fighters in mixed martial arts.

You know Diaz is going to be right in Conor’s face attempting to smother him with his punch combinations. This is an interesting matchup when you think about it because if the fight goes to the ground Conor could be in serious trouble. Others have had Conor down, but no one with the submission chops of a Nate Diaz.

The danger will be if Nate allows Conor enough distance and time to get his rhythm going. But as we saw with his 13-second KO of Jose Aldo, his rhythm may neither have a beginning or end right now. His life seems to be in rhythm. Will Nate Diaz be the one to trip it up?

See ya on March 5th!

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