Yes, Conor McGregor once again is taking on a last-minute fighter due to his originally intended opponent being injured. We’ve seen this story so many times in McGregor’s UFC career at this point, it’s practically scripted.
I was pulling for Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone as the replacement. He told Fox Sports he’d like the opportunity to fight McGregor, despite coming off a fight just days before the slot opened up. Despite his efforts, Nate Diaz seemed to already suspect he was going to get the call. A cryptic tweet went out during the window of time UFC president Dana White was looking around for a replacement.
He’s going to have to get on his knees and beg…
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 23, 2016
Sure enough, we learned from the UFC that Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor are the new co-main event.
I may be one of the few people who was never emotionally invested in that main event because I am desperately curious to know how the Miesha Tate/Holly Holm/Ronda Rousey drama will play out. Seriously, implications galore!
Even so, this got be thinking about the ever-present Conor McGregor promotion machine — and whether or not it might backfire in the near future. Why not against Nate Diaz? I know the McGregor keyboard warriors wouldn’t hear of their golden boy being out-classed by one of the Diaz brothers. However, nothing in MMA fighting is ever certain.
Just ask Ronda Rousey.
Miesha Tate: Ronda Rousey was the bull, Holly Holm was the matador https://t.co/kNjZIQUOE4 #UFC #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/mnm2yYuez2
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 13, 2016
Rousey was a great champion for publicity purposes. Half the fun was the “will she or won’t she?” of whether or not Ronda would ever be taken out. Enter Holly Holm, who nearly kicked the former Women’s Bantamweight Champion’s head clean off during the second round of their infamous November, 2015, fight. Although dedicated fight fans saw it coming (my brother called it as a boxing fan), the level of hype behind Ronda left quite a few people stunned by that outcome.
If Conor McGregor’s winning streak were to be brought to an end, it might be in a similar manner. Or it may be the stray punch he didn’t see coming. As I said, nothing is certain, which is why this fight should worry any Conor fan.
First, consider the fact that he’s fighting Nate Diaz, half of a set of brothers who are known for two things. One, never backing down from a fight or fight opportunity, and two, not being intimidated. The Los Angeles Times was practically ready to declare victory following a press event, where McGregor “overwhelmed” Diaz with a flurry of insults unique to the Irish fighter’s brand. I may be old-fashioned, but I thought these matters were settled in the Octagon?
Nate Diaz accused Conor McGregor and every other UFC fighter of using steroids https://t.co/dzVTy7KNFw #UFC196 #UFC pic.twitter.com/KTW0OXGpdm
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 25, 2016
I find Conor McGregor’s trash-talking tactics somewhat amusing, and this can rile certain opponents. However, I would never expect this to happen to Nate or his brother, Nick Diaz. I would never look to their verbal response (however lacking against a showman like Conor McGregor) as the ultimate proof of whether or not Conor McGregor will likely emerge the victor.
To make this fight happen, both men will have to meet at 170. This represents a two weight class jump for Conor, and ESPN notes Nate Diaz is 2-2 as a welterweight. McGregor is, to the surprise of no one, all confidence.
God bless this hard work. I don’t care about weight divisions. I’ll run through everyone on the roster. #11Days pic.twitter.com/AAd25Rme73
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 24, 2016
There are so many variables that I am not sure what to think about the outcome of this match. Some UFC fans are already speculating that the two weight class leap at the last possible minute provides a ready-made excuse should Conor McGregor suffer his first UFC defeat. Others feel that selecting Nate Diaz over “Cowboy” Cerrone was a pure money move that could backfire.
Technically speaking, there’s nothing on the line for this match. It’s all pride. However, if McGregor were to lose to Diaz, he might somewhat suffer the same loss of inevitably and alleged invincibility that played a huge role in the Ronda Rousey mythos. It’s always those unexpected fights against underestimated opponents where this seems to happen.
Could Conor McGregor suffer a surprise loss to Nate Diaz? Share your thoughts below!
[Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images]
