Diaz shocks McGregor, wins by rear-naked choke at UFC 196

MANILA, Philippines – Nate Diaz has shocked the mixed martial arts world, defeating Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 196 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 6. The time of stoppage was 4:12 of round two.

Diaz had taken the fight on 11 days notice, replacing an injured Rafael Dos Anjos. McGregor, who had been unbeaten in 7 previous fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was a 3-1 betting favorite to win the fight despite jumping from featherweight to welterweight.

Diaz’s victory capped off a night of upsets, following Miesha Tate’s fifth-round submission stoppage of Holly Holm to win the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.

McGregor’s left fist was able to create a gory gash around the right eye of Diaz, but the 30-year-old native of Stockton, California persisted, throwing stiff right jabs. 

It appeared that Diaz was not bothered by the blood flow into his eye as he was able to catch a kick from McGregor and dragged the 27-year-old Irishman to the mat. 

Knowing that his American counterpart holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, McGregor avoided going into Diaz’s wheelhouse as he grabbed a hold of his foe’s leg and used it into the guard. 

Diaz placed himself underneath, making him a difficult target for McGregor’s ground-and-pound in the final seconds of the first round. 

McGregor took the risk of staying in front of Diaz, who engaged in stand-up warfare and consistently countered his right hook. 

As McGregor delivered a pair of uppercuts and a left hook, Diaz clipped a stinging left jab that wobbled the once seemingly invincible Irishman, who was touted to hold UFC world titles in at least two weight classes. 

McGregor was dazed and confused when Diaz stepped on the gas pedal, smacking heavy combinations before pushing his opponent against the fence with an underhook. 

Diaz utilized his free right arm to hold McGregor in stationary position and triggered with a series of punches from his lethal left hand. 

McGregor tried to regain the momentum with a couple good left hands, but Diaz slugged back with slapping punches, prompting the UFC featherweight champion to shoot for a charging takedown. 

Although Diaz easily snared for a guillotine choke, McGregor managed to find the escape door, but he gave his opponent some room to move into side control. 

McGregor miscalculated while finding his way back to his feet as he rolled to his belly and gave up his back to Diaz, who wasted no time in applying a tight rear-naked choke to get the tap and the victory. 

Diaz improves his prizefighting record to 19-10 and claims his 12th triumph by way of submission.

On the other hand, McGregor tastes his first loss inside the Octagon and downgrades his win-loss slate to 19-3. – Rappler.com