Nate Diaz downplays size advantage against Conor McGregor

MANILA, Philippines – Nate Diaz believes that his physical advantages had nothing to do with his submission victory over featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor in their welterweight bout at UFC 196 on Sunday, March 6 (Manila time).

Diaz, who stepped in as a replacement to the injured Rafael dos Anjos on 11 days notice, shocked the world by forcing McGregor to wave the white flag at 4:12 of the second round with a rear-naked choke.

However, Diaz absorbed significant punishment from the 27-year-old Irishman as he was on the receiving end of left hands and uppercuts.

The 30-year-old native of Stockton, California entered the second round bleeding from a cut near his right eye, but he remained unfazed and kept throwing punches until McGregor shot for a desperate takedown. 

After bailing on a guillotine choke, Diaz positioned himself to full mount and compelled McGregor to surrender his back for the fight-ending submission.

According to Diaz, his size and weight advantages did not play a factor in his impressive win against McGregor, who had to move up two divisions higher than featherweight to taste his first loss inside the Octagon. 

“The weight had nothing to do with anything. I had to lose some weight. If I had to fight at 155, I felt like I could have performed better because I would have been on point. I would have had the sparring and I would have had a good weight cut like I did my last fight,” he said during the post-fight press conference.

McGregor disagreed, excusing his loss as “simply me fighting a heavier man. He can take one hell of a shot.”

Diaz admitted that he was expecting to start slow, given that he only prepared for McGregor in less than two weeks.

“I felt like obviously I was going to have a slow start. I didn’t have a camp so I knew I would start slow, warm up and pick up as I go,” he stated. 

Diaz commended McGregor’s ability to expend energy and absorb punches at a much higher weight class. 

“I think with a full camp I would have been flawless, but it’s whatever. I’m not surprised,” he said.

Based from his own observation, Diaz suggested that it is time for him to receive the same appreciation that McGregor received from the UFC. 

“He had a lot of push. He’s been doing great. He’s got a lot of help behind him. I just wish I had the same push, the same help. I’ve been in this a long time. I’ve been curious when this is going to pay off. I think it’s time. Now it’s time,” he shared.

Diaz has the option of staying at welterweight or returning to lightweight, but the outspoken fighter asserted that he is going to leave the decision at the hands of UFC officials.

“I’m at the top, so it’s their call whose next. We’ll see what happens,” he ended. – Rappler.com