If you ever needed any further proof that Conor McGregor is an absolute madman, here it is.
Following the announcement this morning that Rafael dos Anjos would be withdrawing from the planned UFC Lightweight Championship bout against McGregor at the upcoming UFC 196 event, officials have scrambled and confirmed that Nate Diaz will be stepping in at short notice to take on McGregor instead.
And they’ll be fighting as welterweights.
McGregor, who famously stated that he’ll “fight anyone” will be stepping up two whole weight classes in order to battle Diaz on March 5th in Las Vegas. He’ll be punching at 12kg above his usual fighting weight.
Diaz stoked the flames for a potential meeting with McGregor back in December, shooting some barbs the Irish phenom’s way.
“He talks all that money fight shit, he knows where it’s at. It’s right here.”
“If he wants to fight a real fight, he knows where’s it at, he knows where the money fight’s at. It’s right here.”
McGregor, who never saw a microphone he didn’t destroy, responded in typical egomaniacally witty fashion after taking out last year’s Fighter of the Year award.
“I heard Nate Diaz couldn’t even afford the flight over to Las Vegas for the ceremony. Stop holding bitterness deep in your bum soul. Stuck on $20,000 to show and $20,000 to fight. I wipe my ass with that money. I tip your wage, Nate.”
Meanwhile, UFC owner Dana White continues to see nothing but dollar signs whenever he looks at McGregor.
The McGregor vs Diaz fight goes down at UFC 196 on March 5th (US time) in the main event.
Holly Holm vs Miesha Tate for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship also takes place on the card.
Source: Fox Sports.
Photo: Jeff Bottari, Zuffa LLC/Getty.
