Conor McGregor doesn't just walk the walk, but he's made his mark in MMA more importantly for talking the talk as he gets ready for each new opponent. Whether its effusing an aura of self belief, or just talking a whole bunch of ish about the fighter he's about to face, Conor McGregor is never short on words. That's made this latest rematch with Nate Diaz something of a fascinating personality power play. As Diaz is never one to be verbally outmaneuvered in a war of words, even if he's less likely to lead the battle himself.
But, McGregor seems to be supplying Diaz with plenty of ammunition (and I don't just mean those UFC water bottles). So at the UFC 202 press conference on August 17th, when a reporter asked Diaz about McGregor's seeming over-confidence heading into their rematch, Diaz fired away:
"That's what he said last time," Diaz told the assembled press, dismissively. "I think he's got a lot of people around him and he's trying to pump himself up. He's either lying to himself, or too worried about his confidence, or trying to make himself believe it. But, he remembers what happened in the last fight. And I think it's a little silly, man. He's got pictures of me up in his garage with him punching me in the face. What the fuck? Who does that? That's trying to make yourself believe something, that's all. I just think he's trying to hype his own self up. But, when he goes to sleep at night, he remembers what happened the last time."
UFC 202 goes down on August 20th in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be headlined by the welterweight rematch of Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for all the latest news and updates.
Get the latest gear
