Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor rematch 'in the works' after surprise development for UFC 200

The UFC could spring a surprise and book an immediate rematch between McGregor and Diaz

James Edwards
Friday 18 March 2016 17:53 GMT
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Conor McGregor prepares for his UFC 196 fight with Nate Diaz
Conor McGregor prepares for his UFC 196 fight with Nate Diaz

In a surprise turn of events today, it appears the UFC are backtracking on their original plans for Conor McGregor to face Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 and are looking at putting together an immediate rematch with the Irishman taking on Nate Diaz on their biggest card of all time.

It was just last month that Diaz handed McGregor his first ever loss inside the UFC Octagon when at UFC 196 he defeated him having only been brought in as a late replacement for Rafael Dos Anjos on eleven days notice.

Despite many experts saying that Diaz had a legitimate shot at beating McGregor before the fight, it was the Irishman who walked into the Octagon that evening an overwhelming 5/1 favourite and after a storming first round where he landed his left hand at will, he looked set to go on and finish the fight in the next round.

Diaz however, never lost heart and midway through the second round he shocked the world when he turned the fight around after landing a big left hand of his own. From that point on the writing was on the wall and McGregor never looked himself again and an ill-timed takedown eventually lead to Diaz snapping on a rear naked choke and picking up the shock victory.

Following the fight, both UFC president Dana White and McGregor said the most logical next step would be for the UFC featherweight champion to defend his belt at UFC 200 against either Franke Edgar or Jose Aldo. Further reports earlier this week suggested that it would be Frankie Edgar to get the shot, however, Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com today reported that the organisation are actually looking to put together McGregor vs Diaz II.

Nate Diaz celebrates victory over Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 196

Helwani also reported that the fight would once again take place at welterweight and which would make it McGregor's second fight in a row without a title being on the line. If the reports are true then the non-title fight and will take place on July 9 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in what will be the first UFC show to be held at the newly constructed venue.

As of yet, no fights have been confirmed for the UFC 200 card however, there are reports that the UFC are currently looking at Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne and Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson also being featured on the bill.

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