WATCH: McGregor, Diaz hurl expletives, accusations at UFC 196 press con

Nissi Icasiano

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WATCH: McGregor, Diaz hurl expletives, accusations at UFC 196 press con
As expected by many, both men grew heated at the press conference promoting their fight on March 6

MANILA, Philippines – The trash-talking between two outspoken and brash fighters has commenced as Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz meet eye-to-eye for the first time before their highly-anticipated encounter in the main event of UFC 196 on March 6 (March 5 in US).

As expected by many, both men hurled explicit tirades at each other during a press conference on Thursday, February 25 at the UFC Gym in Torrance, California.

 

After the sudden pullout of lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos due to a foot injury, many fighters in the UFC roster offered themselves as replacement foes for the featherweight titleholder.

However, only one man struck the jackpot in the McGregor sweepstakes as he was given Dos Anjos’ spot to face the 27-year-old Irishman in a 5-round welterweight bout at UFC 196, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I came here to fight. They asked me to fight. I said yes from the beginning. I don’t know what problem they have. I came here and ready to fight any weight class. It doesn’t matter,” Diaz said.

McGregor once competed as a lightweight when he defeated Ivan Buchinger for Cage Warriors Fighting Championship’s version of the lightweight belt via first-round knockout in December 2012, but he has never fought as a welterweight in his 21-fight career.

Although Diaz is a known mainstay of the lightweight division, the 30-year-old native of Stockton, California fought 4 times as a welterweight in the past.

“I’m already here on this big a– show for many years before this guys has ever existed. It ain’t no thang, I don’t give a f—,” Diaz stated while pointing his finger to McGregor.

McGregor responded with the “How does it feel to a millionaire? It’s nice, right?” inquiry as the Irish is regarded as one of the organization’s top draw.

McGregor made fun of Diaz’s appeal inside the Octagon as he rose to prominence for his no-nonsense, in-your-face attitude.

“I like Nick and his little brother (Nate). He is like a cholo gangster from the hood. At the same time, he coaches kids on Sunday morning and goes on bike rides with the elderly. He makes guns in the right hand and make balloons in the left hand,” McGregor jabbed.

Diaz continued to barb and punched back by carping McGregor’s 4-straight knockout streak at featherweight.

“You knocked out 3 midgets, and you’re pumped up. If you’re really a mother f—— fighter, you fight grown-ups,” he quipped.

Diaz also levied a damning accusation at the entire locker room of the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.

“Everybody’s on steroids. “The whole UFC, everybody,” Diaz stressed,

McGregor appeared to be affected when Diaz lobbed steroid accusations his way and mentioned the latter’s teammates who recently failed post-fight drug tests.

Gilbert Melendez tested positive for exogenous origin of testosterone metabolites following a split-decision loss to Eddie Alvarez in June 2015, while Jake Shields had a victory over Ed Herman in August 2012 overturned after an unspecified banned substance was found in his system.

“Don’t be putting my name with steroids. I’m major against that. Don’t put my name with the name of steroids,” McGregor articulated. “Your teammate Gil and Jake were caught on steroids. I’m not on no steroids. What the f–k are you talking about?”

Everyone in attendance was given a treat as the media conference capped off with a heated staredown between McGregor and Diaz.

 

– Rappler.com

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