For all the criticism Conor McGregor received for pursuing a rematch with Nate Diaz instead of defending his featherweight title, the Irishman earned respect for beating the bigger man.
McGregor, who lost against Diaz via 2nd round submission at UFC 196, avenged the loss at UFC 202 after a back-and-forth, bloody battle in what will likely be crowned 2016’s Fight of the Year.
Both bouts were contested at welterweight, two weight classes above McGregor’s championship division, and ‘The Notorious’ struggled to beef up to 170 pounds. Diaz, on the other hand, a lightweight fighter who has also competed at welterweight on several occasions, had to cut weight to make the 170-pound limit. What isn’t clear is just how many pounds the Californian had to shed.
According to UFC president Dana White, Diaz fought McGregor with a 20 lbs. weight advantage, reportedly weighing 190 pounds on fight night.
"Conor has to try to weigh 168 [pounds] when they’re weighing in at 170. The night of the fight, Diaz comes in at 190,” White said to Hot 97 in New York, via FanSided.
Prior to UFC 202, boxing coach Ricky Funez also claimed Diaz was close to 200 pounds, but the former lightweight title challenger says he entered the Octagon as a 173-pound fighter.
“Tell Dana I said get off Conor’s nuts,” Diaz told MMA Fighting. “I left my room to that fight at 176 [pounds], so when I fought I was probably 173. Quit telling people I was a monster to make him look good. I’ve been a lightweight my whole career.”
Since the bout, it’s been announced that Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor will headline UFC 205 in New York, while Diaz will likely sit out until he’s granted a trilogy fight with McGregor.