UFC 202 fight card primer: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz

The main event of UFC 202 is one of the most anticipated fights of the year as UFC Featherweight champion Conor McGregor (19-3 MMA; 7-1 UFC) once again takes on Nate Diaz (19-10 MMA; 14-8 UFC) in a five round non-title Welterweight fight. The UFC rankings have neither man ranked at Welterweight, though McGregor is #4 on the pound for pound list. Diaz, who beat McGregor earlier this year, is unranked at pound for pound and #4 at Lightweight. UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor II airs live from Las Vegas this Saturday, August 20. The main card airs on PPV with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, with the prelims starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1 and 6:30 p.m. ET on Fight Pass.

This main event may not be a world title fight, but it's as important a fight as we will see all year in the UFC. At a time when we don't know if Ronda Rousey will ever fight again, and where we can never be sure what the future holds for Jon Jones, Conor McGregor is arguably the only active UFC fighter who is capable of moving the needle in terms of serious fan interest right now. A second loss to Diaz could potentially be devastating to his draw, and by extension, the UFC as a whole. This is big, for many reason.

How do these two stack up?

McGregor: 28 years old | 5'9" | 74" reach
Diaz: 31 years old | 6'0" | 76" reach

What have these two done recently?

McGregor: L - Nate Diaz (Sub) | W - Jose Aldo (KO) | W - Chad Mendes (TKO)
Diaz: W - Conor McGregor (Sub) | W - Michael Johnson (UD) | L - Rafael dos Anjos (UD)

How did these two get here?

"The Notorious" Conor McGregor had an amazing 2015 where he went 3-0, knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, won UFC gold, and became one of the company's biggest stars. He was the consensus Fighter of the Year for 2015, and momentum was riding high for him when he challenged Rafael dos Anjos in a champion vs. champion fight at UFC 196 in March. Then, dos Anjos suffered an injury, Nate Diaz stepped in, and two rounds later, McGregor was choked out, his hype train massively derailed. Since that time, McGregor has made big news first for claiming to retire, then for antagonizing professional wrestlers in the WWE. He swears he's more prepared and that the outcome will be different this time - we'll find out Saturday night.

Nate Diaz is a cult favorite and one of the most fascinating fighters in the UFC. He's a jiu jitsu black belt who also has tremendous and unique boxing skills. He's a brash, loud-mouthed antagonist who has none the less made a legion of fans. He's a former title challenger whose only loss in over 3 years is to former champion dos Anjos, yet he still doesn't get tremendous respect (see his omission from the pound for pound list as an example). Diaz has been very critical of the UFC at times as of late, and of course his brother Nick has a notoriously rocky history with the company. Win or lose, it's hard to know what will be next for Diaz, though whatever it is, and whatever the outcome here, fans will be watching, as that first McGregor fight made him a major star to many.

Why should you care?

Two of the most dynamic personalities in the sport in what should be a war. This is going to be electric and everything a main event fight should be.